Men of League - Issue 60

Issue 60 - September 2015

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MAGNIFICENT GREAT HALVES HEADLINE A GREAT EVENING

ACROSS THE PACIFIC: NRL’S POLYNESIAN INFLUENCE TIGERS’ GO-GETTER REMEMBERING: SOUTHS BRISBANE ‘85

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

IN THIS EDITION 6-8 Magnificent Seven/Gala dinner 10-12 Hayne and Pacific’s new opportunities 14-15 Farewell to ‘Clarko’ 20-21 Marino Go 22-24 Remember Brisbane Souths ‘ 85 25 Where Are They Now: J. Quayle 26-27 By Your Side: Brooke Gidley 28-29 Great supporter Bob Aldons 30-31 Honouree: Mike Cleary 34-36 Remakable Maroon: John Cleary 46-48 Roo tour 1990: Making of Mal 50-51 Duncan Thompson 56-57 Men CAN get breasat cancer 70 Eric Barnes PLUS THE REGULARS: 5 From the CEO 9 Ray Warren 16 Events Calendar 32/49 Local committes in profile 37 Footy trivia 38-41 Tributes 42-45 Helping Hand 53 Volunteer profile: Garry O’Donnell 54-55 NRL welfare activities 60-69 Committee news EDITOR: Neil Cadigan (editor@menofleague.com) DESIGN: Brilliant Logic PHOTOS: The Foundation thanks News Ltd for supply of photographs ADVERTISING: Brilliant Logic Phone: (02) 4324 6962 www.brilliantlogic.com.au www.menofleague.com DEADLINES: Deadline for submitted material for the next edition: 30 October

NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS Patron:The Hon John Fahey AC Chairman: Ron Coote AM Treasurer:Geoff Thoroughgood Directors: Mark Gasnier, Brad Howell, Professor The Hon Stephen Martin, Alan Sullivan QC, Darryl Van de Velde and Helen Wood Grant WELFARE COMMITTEE Ray Beattie OAM, Sarah Connor, Kerry Gallen, Ben Ross, Geoff Thoroughgood, Ken Vessey

FROM THE

CHAIRMAN As part of the opening of the 2015 Men of League Heritage Round, it was my privilege to return to the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground to remember the 1965 grand final.

I still get a buzz when I walk out onto the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground. Even though we were beaten on the day, it was fantastic to be there for the start of what was a wonderful era for the South Sydney Rabbitohs.

That memory of the crowd has really stuck with me over the years.

The images and footage still do the rounds in the media every now and again of the young kids out on the field and the fans of the game in every possible seat and vantage point.

Over the years I have met so many people who were there on the day and tell me about what a great thrill it was for them to be there and feel that atmosphere.

For so many people, those memories have stood the test of time. I’m very thankful for that.

EXECUTIVE Chief Executive Officer: Corene Strauss Welfare & Education Manager: Ben Ross Financial Controller: Andrew Gifford Operations Manager: Sandra Hopwood

But Heritage Round this year was about more than memories for me. It was about more than just want happened on a footy field fifty years ago.

It reminded me of why we exist as an organisation. It reminded me of the fellowship that we all share as fans of our game. From the backyard games all the way through to the Kangaroos. We all share a love for the game and a determination to look after each other.

I’m truly grateful for the fond memories of the game and my time spent on the field. But I’m more grateful for the fond memories of trust and care, friendships made, everlasting bonds and time spent with friends.

With your continued support of the Men of League Foundation, we can continue to care for the rugby league community.

That’s what I hope will truly stand the test of time. These are the memories that I hope to never forget.

Ron Coote

ceo@menofleague.com ben@menofleague.com andrew@menofleague.com sandra@menofleague.com

Events & Community Engagement Manager: Jason Turik jason@menofleague.com

Membership Officer: Claire White NSW State Manager: Stuart Raper QLD State Manager: Frank Barrett QLD Events & Operations: Tegan Jennings QLD Admin Officer: Louise Uhl NRL Alumni Manager: Michael Buettner Wellbeing Officer Ray Beattie OAM Media, Marketing & Sponsorship: Louise Duff

claire@menofleague.com stuart@menofleague.com frank@menofleague.com tegan@menofleague.com louise@menofleague.com michael@menofleague.com rbe61518@bigpond.net.au lduff@brilliantlogic.com.au

NSW & CENTRAL OFFICE Level 3, Eastern Grandstand, ANZ Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park NSW 2127 PO Box 7049, Silverwater NSW 2128 Phone: 02 8765 2232 Fax: 02 8765 2808 QLD OFFICE QRL Office, Suncorp Stadium, Castlemaine Street, Milton QLD 4064 PO Box 1217, Milton QLD 4064 Phone: 07 3367 6080 Fax: 07 3367 3464

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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YOUR MEN OF LEAGUE LOCAL CONTACTS NEW SOUTH WALES CANBERRA MONARO President: Noel Bissett 0407 597 533 Secretary: Susan Gerrard 0406 378 086 CENTRAL COAST President: Don Parish 0414 353 141 Secretary: Trevor Andrews 0412 694 857 CENTRAL WEST President: John Lasker 02 6852 2477 Secretary: Norm Cook 0458 658 827

FAR SOUTH COAST President: Terry Dickson 0429 449 058 Secretary: Damian Kennedy 0417 069 723 ILLAWARRA President: Peter Fitzgerald 0412 263 733 Secretary: Barry Harle 02 4229 1545

RIVERINA President: Dave Mulrooney 0438 017 428 Secretary: Ian Lloyd 0457 850 384

GOLD COAST President: Ian Amos 0417 005 180 Secretary: Mick Toomey 0422 870 025

SOUTH COAST President: David Hayward 0405 102 361 Secretary: Ross Collins 0423 853 515

GOONDIWINDI President: Trevor Brown 07 4671 2882 Secretary: Col Trehearn 0427 712 679

SOUTHERN SYDNEY President: Terry Hughes 0447 488 052 Secretary: Grahame Bowen 0400 355 500

GYMPIE President: Ross Groundwater 0408 825 466 Secretary: Greg Pountney 0432 397 974

SYDNEY METRO President: Henry Morris 0418 115 706 Secretary: Seamus O'Connell 0411 126 060

MACKAY President: Marco Peters 0428 264 073 Secretary: Alf Abdullah 0417 752 694

ROCKHAMPTON President: Ron Milne Secretary: Dominique McGregor

TUGGERAH LAKES President: Rod Morton 02 4396 5335 Secretary: Terry Wands 0438 521 736 TWEED DISTRICT President: John Strong 0421 971 586

MACARTHUR/STH HIGHLANDS President: Ron McEntee 0448 118 789 Secretary: Stephen Hazelton 0450 010 770

MID NORTH COAST President: Brian Atherton 0427 523 818 Secretary: Kevin Rayment 0427 533 644

UPPER HUNTER President: Peter Ford 0421 805 235 Vice President: Peter Collins 0419 763 279

MID WEST President: Badger Babbage 0428 164 398 Secretary: Elwyn Lang 0429 721 266

WESTERN SYDNEY President: Steve Winbank Secretary: Garry O'Donnell 0418 699 257

NEWCASTLE HUNTER President: Garry Leo 0400 421 767 Secretary: Peter Corcoran 0413 453 473

WESTERN REGION Secretary: Ross Tighe 02 6882 4649 Vice President: Bryson Luff 0438 058 563

QLD AND AFFILIATED STATES

NORTH COAST President: Peter Barrett 0414 227 068 Secretary: Terry Clark

BRISBANE President: Ron Atkins 07 3355 7271 Secretary: Vance Rennie 07 3350 6436

NORTH WEST President: Don Pascoe 02 6742 1560 Secretary: Kevin Robinson 02 6760 5067

BUNDABERG DISTRICT President: Terry Dodd 0414 526 828 Secretary: Chris Sullivan 0407 425 563

NORTHERN SYDNEY President: Neil Whittaker 0412 488 037

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS President: Mick Roach 0400 638 249 Secretary: RJ Stewart

NORTHERN RIVERS Patron: Bob Abbott AM Secretary: Tony Cicchinelli 02 6621 3096 Media Officer: Barry Cheadle 02 6686 2977 NSW POLICE Patron: Andrew Scipione President: Dennis Clifford 0411 266 610

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND President: John McAllister 0409 722 455 Secretary: Les Lazarus 0402 801 182 FRASER COAST President: Peter Stephensen 07 4122 2868 Secretary: Vic Beardmore 0407 303 187

ROMA President: Owen Lingard 0400 496 507 Secretary: Julie Walton 0437 721 527 SOUTHERN DIVISION President: Andrew O’Brien 0417 748 489 Secretary: John Dent 0400 046 214 SUNSHINE COAST President: Bob Hagan 0419 252 092 Secretary: Barry Marsden 0402 654 231 TOWNSVILLE President: Tim Nugent 0419 730 700 Secretary: Terry Feeney 0488 000 899 VICTORIA President: Peter Foreman 0439 533 171 Secretary: Greg Brentnall 03 8412 4905 NORTHERN TERRITORY President: Dave Cannon 0428 895 211 Secretary: John Barry 0417 732 660 WESTERN AUSTRALIA President: James Sullivan 0414 733 083 Secretary: Justin Reid 0403 012 252

QLD STATE COMMITTEE Qld State Manager: Frank Barrett Chairman: Darryl Van de Velde Vice Chairman: Pete Psaltis Treasurer: Tony Woodgate Committee: Mitch Brennan, Ken Brown, Mark Donlan, Darryl Foster, Tony Joseph, Mark Murray, Justin Ribot, Wayne Roberts, Greg Veivers

MESSAGE

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FROM THE CEO

elcome to the latest edition of the Men of League magazine. Since our last edition, we’ve had a huge few months. You would have seen round 19 of the NRL be played as the Men of League Heritage Round over the weekend of Thursday 16 to Monday 20 July. The Heritage Round was the round appointed by the NRL to the Men of League Foundation to showcase how great our game is off the field as well as on.

Of course, this bumper weekend wasn’t just about games of rugby league. We held our gala dinner at which we honoured the families among us who have fallen on hard times and raised essential funds so that we may continue to support the rugby league community.

As part of our gala dinner we announced the Men of League Magnificent 7. The Magnificent 7 was a public vote to find the seven greatest halfbacks to have strapped on football boots at elite level in Australia

since 1961 – the first year a complete season of rugby league was beamed into our lounge rooms via television. More than 2,400 votes were cast by the rugby league community. You’ll see a full article detailing the announcement of the Magnificent 7 in this magazine.

Recently we also announced our partnership with Harvey Norman Commercial. They’ve joined us as a national sponsor. Harvey Norman have long been excellent supporters of the Men of League and we thank them for their continued support.

Thank you for your continued efforts throughout the 2015 rugby league season. We all know that hardship doesn’t take an off-season, so please continue your fundraising, social and welfare efforts to help us make 2015 a premier year for everyone in the rugby league community.

Corene P.S: We’ll soon be moving to a new database to help with the management of your information and improve our systems. Could you please help us with this move by notifying us if you’ve changed your email or postal address in the past six months?

JESSE’S “GREATEST EVER” DAY

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esse Swifte will never forget his “money can’t buy” experience at a recent Brisbane Broncos game, thanks to Men of League, the Broncos and the Wynnum Manly club who ran a Heritage Round raffle.

“I then get a chance to speak to Justin, after that I get a few photos with everyone, it was the best feeling ever to be with the three best rugby players ever. I then meet Jharal Yow Yeh, I go sit down in my seats and watch the Broncos smash the Tigers.

Jesse thought he had won tickets to the Broncos’ clash with Wests Tigers, played during the Men of League Heritage Round (round 19), only to later find he was also going to toss the coin before the game and meet Queensland legend Wally Lewis, and opposing captains Justin Hodges and Aaron Woods.

“I went home with the best memories of my life.”

His description of the day best portrays how special it was for him.

“We’re waiting to go in the tunnel at Suncorp, where we see Josh McGuire. So we are walking in and I meet everyone with Channel 9 and the camera people.

“I then go on the field where I meet the one and only Wally Lewis. Wally and I go back inside to do the coin toss with Aaron Woods and Justin Hodges. The privilege to be on Channel 9 live with The King and Justin Hodges is the greatest moment of my life; it can’t get any better than that.

(from left) Aaron Woods, Justin Hodges, Jesse Swifte, Wally Lewis and referee Henry Perenara at the coin toss.

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A MAGNIFICENT NIGHT

The Foundation’s annual gala dinner was again the night of nights for the rugby league community in July with the naming of the Magnificent Seven the highlight. BY NEIL CADIGAN

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t was extraordinary to think that, as the little men just anointed as six of the greatest seven halfbacks in over half a century stood on stage in the pinnacle moment of Men of League’s annual gala dinner, that three of them found their way to the ‘big league’ from a country town called Wagga Wagga.

Yet that’s what the judgments of a panel of experts and more than 2400 league fans, many of them Men of League members, decided in the wonderful Magnificent Seven promotion.

The Magnificent Seven are (in order of their career time spans) Billy Smith, Tom Raudonikis, Steve Mortimer, Peter Sterling, Allan Langer, Andrew Johns and Johnathan Thurston.

All but Thurston, whose North Queensland team were playing the Heritage Round match against Manly days later in Sydney, were present along with others from the 14 finalists in Greg Alexander, Ricky Stuart, Arthur Summons, Brett Kimmorley and Barry Muir.

Stacey Jones was unable to attend because of his commitments with the Warriors as NSW Cup coach, while Cooper Cronk also missed the night as he was playing for Melbourne the following evening.

Mortimer, the oldest of four brothers who played first grade, was born and bred in the town and joined Canterbury in 1976 after starring for Monara in the midweek Amco Cup. Country football could also claim Johns, a product of Cessnock in the coal fields, while Smith came through the St George juniors as a centre and Langer and Thurston, both regarded as too small to “make it” in the big league early in their careers, are from the greater Brisbane region - Langer from Ipswich and Thurston around Sunnybank.

“It’s a huge honour to be inducted into the Magnificent 7; just to be mentioned around the other nominees is a privilege,” said Thurston in a message read to the audience. “I grew up watching many of the players who were named in the final 14 and, let me tell you, it’s quite humbling to be included in their company, let alone the final list.”

The 14 nominees were chosen from a poll of an expert panel comprising Wayne Bennett, Phil Rothfield, Tim Sheens, Warren Smith and myself. It was then left to a vote of a combination of the panel’s selections and the public, which received a wide response.

“It is just an unbelievable honour to be on stage with these men,” said an emotional Raudonikis who travelled from the Gold Coast to attend.

The other highlight of the night was the honouring of Michael Cleary, AM, as the Parkview Men of League Honouree.

“I felt humbled to be listed in the 14 finalists but this is incredible, and thank you to Men of League for recognising us in this way. It is a great organisation.”

Cleary’s contribution to the Australian sport goes further than being one of only four athletes to have represented the country at national level in three sports - athletics, rugby union and rugby league which saw him inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and honoured with the Australian Sports Medal (see story page on page 30).

Raudonikis had been posted to Wagga while working in the Royal Australian Air Force and was recommended to Wests by local league legend and former Magpies grand final skipper Arthur Summons in 1968.

The RAAF also brought Sterling to Wagga, from Raymond Terrace after being born in Toowoomba.

His father Max was a dentist in the services and was posted to Wagga and it was there that the young Sterling was recommended to Parramatta coach Terry Fearnley in 1977 while still at school. He became a club legend and four-time premiership player.

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There were more than 550 people at the much-lookedforward-to function at the new venue of La Montage on the banks of the Parramatta River in Sydney, compered by Fox Sports’ Warren Smith.

Magnificent Seven jerseys signed by the great halfbacks were auctioned on the night and went for $4000 each, raising a valuable $28,000 while other auctions on the night added to needed funds.

Tom Raudonikis and Steve Mortimer

Andrew Johns responds to his selection on stage

Men of League Foundation chairman Ron Coote

The Magnificent 7 – Billy Smith, Allan Langer, Tom Raudonikis, Steve Mortimer, Peter Sterling and Andrew Johns

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A MAGNIFICENT MEMORY

BY BARRY ROSS

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t could be argued that Billy Smith’s achievement of being named in Men of League’s Magnificent Seven was the toughest seeing his career dated back furthest of the seven chosen halfbacks and some of the judges would not have seen him play in his prime.

The 73-year-old said he was stunned to be named as one of the seven greatest halfbacks in over half a century.

“What an honour to be named as one of these great players,” he said. “I was thrilled when I was invited to the dinner [as one of the 14 nominees] and to be selected as one of the seven is something I never expected.

“It was a night to remember and a bonus was that my son Jeff was there with me.”

The great halfbacks have to have above average talent, extreme toughness and the ability to read a game and react quickly to different situations. Billy Smith had all of these qualities and during his long career.

Born in Fremantle on 12 July 1942, Billy played 26 Tests for Australia, 17 games for NSW, five matches for City Firsts and a club record 296 grade games for the Dragons, 234 in first grade. He captained Australia in one Test during the 1970 World Cup, was named as one of Australia’s greatest 100 players in 2008, was a member of two World Cup winning sides (1968 and 1970), won the official trophy as player of the 1970 World Cup and collected two Harry Sunderland Medals as the player of the series against Great Britain in 1966 and New Zealand in 1967.

Add to this four grand final wins with the Dragons (1963 to 1966), the 1966 NSWRL player of the year, the 1966 Sun-Herald Player of the Year and three minor grade premierships and it’s obvious Smith had a rewarding career.

Although he was born in Western Australia, Billy grew up at Mortdale deep in St George territory. He played some rugby and Aussie Rules at the local primary school, but settled on rugby league around 12 years of age and became one of the Renown club’s best juniors in his early teens.

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Photo courtesy DAILY TELEGRAPH

He was graded in 1960 as a centre and made his first grade debut at the old Sydney Sports Ground in 1961 partnering 1959 Kangaroo Johnny Riley in the centres in the 9-0 win over Manly.

It wasn’t until 1964 that he established himself as a halfback when captain-coach Norm Provan moved him to the scrum base. Everything happened quickly after that and he represented City and NSW, before making his Test debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1964 in the 20-6 win against France. His final Test was the 12-7 win at Leeds in the 1970 World Cup final against Great Britain.

Well known as a practical joker, Smith has had some problems with officials over the years but he says that is well behind him now and he lives a quiet life in Sydney’s southern suburbs.

In September 2010 he suffered a stroke which caused great concern to his family and many friends. Because of problems following the stroke, he cannot attend as many games as he would to but closely follows the fortunes of St George Illawarra.

He also enjoys socialising with team-mates and opponents from the past at Men of League functions.

RAY’S WRAP

The voice of the game and league’s greatest TV broadcaster Ray Warren

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he finals are with us and while there has been a great battle for positions in both the top four and the top eight, most of our time has been spent talking about shoulder charges.

It’s a shame because there is so much else happening in and around the game but in this case the shoulder charge has to be examined and dealt with accordingly.

There are so many opinions. I don’t believe the ‘SC’ is necessary in our game. What has me bothered though is the interpretation of the meaning of the word “charge”.

I don’t quite see how one bracing oneself is a charge.

Photo courtesy DAILY TELEGRAPH

I thought a shoulder charge was to launch yourself aggressively at your target. To brace and get ready for an imminent collision is somewhat different I feel. None of this relieves the devastation experienced by the Ackerman family and I feel deeply and sadly for them.

I am not saying that only the bin should be used; there obviously will be cases where it needs further examination and possible penalty at the judicial levels.

I guess my bottom line is, if you want something cleaned up in the game, as is instanced with the no punch rule, let the coaches do it for you.

People are quick to blame administrations but right here we have been served notice that to turn a blind eye is to be negligent and not showing due care for the welfare of our players.

The other aspect of all this is to do with time and how things have changed. What might have been seen by some many years ago as acceptable is no longer viewed that way by many branches of life.

In the case of concussion, rugby league took on board the warnings of litigation coming out of American football and acted accordingly, as they should.

Laws have changed. Expectations of the way we play our sports and go about life have changed. Litigation is a very real issue particularly for contact sports. Those are the sort of things administrators are faced with these days.

What the same administration has endeavoured to do here with the SC is another step in the right direction.

My only problem is the grey area that we refer to as “bracing” as opposed to “charging”.

One thing that does ring loudly in my ears is the almost eradication of the “punch” since all were told that “punch and you will be sent to the bin”. Almost immediately it stopped. Why? Because coaches don’t want only 12 men on the paddock so they remind their players of the downside of throwing a punch and leaving the team one or two down.

The coaches have in the case of the punch become the police force. So if you really want to eradicate something then use the sin bin like we have with the punch.

On a brighter note ...

It was warming to hear the gala dinner went off beautifully. I couldn’t attend but did some voice overs for the night in relation to the Magnificent Seven.

Congratulations to those who made the cut but, more importantly to me, it was a reminder of the great names, the mighty players, that have played in the seven jersey down through the years.

In reality no one missed the cut in the minds of those who truly love the game.

Enjoy the finals.

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LEAGUE’S NEW OPPORTUNITIES Almost half of NRL players have Pacific Island heritage, opening a new dimension of international league’s potential - and, who knows, Jarryd Hayne’s venture to the USA may have opened the door for another one. BY NEIL CADIGAN

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his was to be a story essentially about the growing Polynesian influence in the National Rugby League competition, and proposed development of Pacific nations’ representation in international rugby league.

Then something happened. The Hayne Plane landed in the United States. And it took off like no one could have anticipated.

And how the expansion of identity of our sport that has for over a century been primarily restricted to elite competition in two states of Australia, two counties of England and a small part of France, has genuine potential of a new frontier – the US of A. So believes the one man assigned to international development, Tas Baitieri.

Offshore he has watched rugby league undergo a modest, yet extensive, international growth.

Domestically he has seen the explosion of Pacificaheritage players in the past decade have an enormous effect on the NRL and a need for Tonga, Samoa, Fiji and full international member country, PNG, take on new emphasis.

Yet Hayne’s captivation of the American football public’s interest has left him excited.

And the mix of the Hayne profile that has put Australian ‘rugby’ into the greater American sporting vocabulary, and the Polynesian link in gridiron-mad Hawaii, means America’s Pacific islands state (and San Francisco?) could become the doorway to The States almost three decades after State of Origin had a one-shot visit to Los Angeles in 1988 – and never followed through.

“The Hayne factor is getting to the level where people are asking in America ‘what is this rugby league in Australia all about? What do they do? Where is it played?’,” Baitieri said.

“We now have a natural connection between the two sports and when you listen to the American commentary they talk about Hayne coming from rugby league in Australia - so it’s on the radar of their sports fans now.

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“There was an article I read where there is an NFL scout coming to Australia to check out our athletes, rugby league and union because they are adaptable to NFL. “I think Hawaii could be a good way in for rugby league.

They are footy [gridiron] crazy over there and there is the Pacific Island synergy as well. Add the Hayne factor and perhaps there is new scope there for the game.”

Brisbane and Penrith were scheduled to play a match at Aloha Stadium in Honolulu in October but it has been put on the back-burner after NRL intervention.

The US state has over 1.4 million and many support Hayne’s team the San Francisco 49ers as it is the closest NFL team geographically.

There is no doubt the extraordinary achievement of Hayne could provide a new opportunity for rugby league to get a genuine foothold in the USA where, through the efforts of former St George player David Nui and others, there is at least regular club competition in the north-west of the country and interest increased on the back of the USA team making the quarter-finals in the 2013 World Cup in England.

In my view, now is the time to go back – to San Francisco – with a State of Origin clash and beam it throughout the USA and internationally. The potential interest, and chance of genuine follow up, is infinitely greater than in 1988 when a virtual exhibition game in the form of the fourth match of the series was essentially treated like a ‘junket’.

There are now over 40 countries playing rugby league, with 18 full International Federation members. The current world rankings have the USA ranked 10th, above 11th placed Papua New Guinea where league is the national sport. Samoa is fourth, above France.

But it is the development of players with Pacific Island heritage, and their strong connection to their roots, that has most changed the face of rugby league – and opened up an exciting new phase on the international scene.

Forty-four per cent of players in the NRL have Pacifica heritage and are eligible to play for PNG, Samoa,

Has the Hayne Plane landed a new opportunity for rugby league in USA? Jarryd Hayne is quickly becoming a phenomenon with the San Francisco 49ers.

Photo; GETTY IMAGES.

Tonga, Fiji or Cook Islands. More than 1000 players in the NRL, NYC and state league competitions qualify for Pacific nation representation. Their natural power, strong physique and explosive skills make them ideally suited to the game.

Admittedly, a high percentage were born in Australia and New Zealand but their impact on the NRL and their obvious passion for their heritage has changed the face of the game in Australia.

And there are some players coming directly from the islands to NRL clubs. Who would have thought a decade ago that we would have a story like Semi Radradra, a kava farmer and miner from Fiji, would be discovered in a rugby union sevens tournament and break the 33-year-old Parramatta season try-scoring record in his second season in the NRL? Warriors centres Konrad Hurrell and Solomona Kata both left Tonga in their late teens and have become prominent first graders, and proudly represented Tonga as the only players in the Pacific Test double-header in May who were born in the Pacific.

Not only have we seen a prevalence of explosive Polynesia players in the NRL, it has created a new dimension for the international game that must be nurtured and expanded.

More players are becoming more likely to declare their allegiance to Pacific nations as they get more regular Test football, and the 2017 World Cup in Australia is shaping as a spectacular event because of this.

Samoa last year won a play-off to be included in the end-of-season Four Nations tournament against Australia, New Zealand and England and grabbed the public’s imagination. The Samoan team lost 32-26 to England and drew over 47,000 to Suncorp Stadium – an achievement previously unattainable for a Test match not involving Australia.

The Samoans should have beaten the Kiwis in New Zealand (Whangerei), leading 12-10 before Shaun Kenny-Dowall scored with three minutes to go for a 1412 Kiwi victory. Australia then beat them 44-18.

This year a crowd of over 12,000 on the Gold Coast watched Samoa beat Tonga 18-16 in one of the most spirited and physical international games on our shores, then watched the two teams link arm-in-arm and pray on the field after the match. Earlier Fiji beat PNG 20-10.

Former Kiwi international Nigel Vagana, proud of his Samoan roots and now working for the NRL in welfare and cultural development, says the more regular competition the Pacific islanders-qualified players get, the more competitive they will be and the more likely

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they are to commit to the nations as their first choice.

“You see when they play for the Pacific teams how passionate and proud they are about their heritage but the key is getting games in between the World Cups, which is happening now,” said Vagana who was recently part of a delegation from the Australia leagues to participate in a Pacific leadership workshop in Noumea organised by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) to discuss development challenges and healthy living in the Pacific Islands region.

“The big challenge that we have had in regards to the Pacifica international teams was the regularity of getting games. For the guys to get one of two Test matches at the end of each year is all you need as they now know there will be regular Tests.

“They won’t get the financial bonuses like the big three but for these guys it’s not about the bonuses but an opportunity to play international football and to help develop and grow the game and represent the community they have a connection to.

“A lot of guys are really passionate about it. Josh McGuire played for Samoa two years ago, Marty Taupau played two years ago. In the 2008 World Cup Michael Jennings played for Tonga and Jarryd Hayne for Fiji. So it is also a potential stepping stone for guys who will end up in the Origin arena or playing for Australia or New Zealand.

“But they have to pay against the big three. Samoa competed well in the Four Nations last year and nearly beat England and New Zealand. Four years ago we were beaten by the Kiwis by 50.

“Unless you’re playing at that level all the time you’re never going to get better. They captured the public’s imagination because they created uncertainty about the result and there was great support and a kind of festival atmosphere at the games.If you foster that culture, you get great atmosphere and crowds.”

Yet while the players involved showed great passion for and affinity to their cultural roots, the Pacific nations remain ‘second tier’ and the international qualification stipulations see many of them place selection as a second-option to playing for the Kangaroos or Kiwis.

Currently a player must make a decision on whether he wants to be aligned to a tier one country – Australia, New Zealand, England – by two years out from a World Cup. He then becomes bound by that preference until the Cup is completed.

But that may change, with Baitieri likely to suggest to the International Federation it considers altering the 12

MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

PROUD TONGAN … one of the NRL’s most talented young players, Sio Siua Taukeiaho.

rules and opening up the opportunity for a player to be eligible for a second tier nation if not selected for one of the ‘big three’.

This would greatly broaden the appeal and competitiveness of the 2017 World Cup in Australia and have far more of players with Pacific Island heritage who are good NRL players involved in the tournament.

Some of the most exciting players of the 2015 season are included like Radradra and Marika Koroibete (Fiji), Sio Suia Taukeiaho and Solomone Kata (Tonga), Valentine Holmes (Cook Islands) and Sam Kasiano and Dominique Peroux (Samoa).

Even if little comes of the Hayne-made link between the Aussie and American footy codes, the 2017 World Cup could provide the greatest evidence yet of how the Polynesian heritage in our game has created a new dimension.

But who knows. Other NRL players may try their luck – some of them Pacific Islanders – or maybe there may even be some NFL players who, through Hayne’s success, see a new synergy between the football codes. Remember Manfred Moore in the 70s?

In the meantime, rugby league is developing its Pacific connection, and in greater numbers but lesser, profile in Europe.

Bring on the World Cup 2017.

ELLA HOPES TO SAVE HER BROTHER

E

lla Dietz is a brave 10-yearold girl who is hoping to do a special thing - save the life of her brother.

And Men of League’s Gold Coast committee president Ian Amos thought she was worth a special treat and with the assistance of Glenn Lee, from Warner Village Theme Parks, has made it happen.

In late 2014 Dylan Dietz, a strapping 20-year-old former Burleigh Bears junior player on the Gold Coast, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and was given just days to live unless he had urgent treatment.

AML was in 100 per cent of his bone marrow.

One could only imagine what was going on in Dylan’s and his family’s minds after receiving the shock news. Dylan is the eldest of Anthony and Brenda Dietz’s three siblings. He also has a brother Beau, 15, who plays in Burleigh Bears under-16s.

Dylan started chemotherapy and was placed in isolation for six weeks, separated from his family as he had no immune system.

During this period he lost close to 20kg.

AML is a rare leukemia with only about 900 people diagnosed worldwide each year. The treatment was successful and the cancer was removed. Dylan began exercising, eating healthy foods and fresh juices to build his body back to full strength.

Unfortunately his six-week blood check-up detected the AML had returned to 10 per cent of his bone marrow. A search for a bone marrow donor began and Ella was found to be a match.

Glenn Lee, from Warner Village Theme Parks, with Brenda and Ella Dietz, and Ian Amos (right).

Dylan has had to undergo more chemotherapy and also radiation and stem cell treatment at Royal Brisbane Hospital over three to six months.

Ella has had to be brave and patient while undergoing a series of blood transfusions but she sits quietly and cries as she knows this could help Dylan get better.

“She’s a little legend for doing this for Dylan,” said family friend Fiona Hughes who brought Dylan’s plight to ther attention of Ian Amos. “She doesn’t fully understand what’s going on but she knows she is the only one who can save her brother.”

The Leukemia Foundation is helping out the Dietz family with

their medical bills and he has put his apprenticeship on hold util he can return.

Through the efforts of Ian Amos, also manager of Burleigh Bears Leagues Club, and his contacts a dolphin swim and night’s accommodation at Sea World Resort was organised thanks to general manager of SeaWorld, Bikash Randhawa, and a super hero experience at Movieworld thanks to general manager of Movieworld, Greg Yong.

Ella was still providing the transfusions as we went to press and the family desperately hope the bone marrow transplanting will save Dylan. She is yet to enjoy the special experiences.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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‘THE PRINCE’ OF PROPER JOURNALISM The name Alan Clarkson was synonymous with rugby league for four decades from the mid-1950s until the end of the 80s.

We pay tribute to the former Sydney Morning Herald scribe, awarded an OAM in 1990, who died in July. BY NEIL CADIGAN

A

lan Clarkson was an institution in sporting media. In the days when daily newsprint broke news, not the internet, his by-line stood in black type on white broadsheet paper for more than four decades.

For me I saw it usually only on Sundays in the SunHerald, being a lower-middle class Sydney western suburbs boy whose father brought home the Daily Telegraph each weekday and not the long-page paper called the Sydney Morning Herald we thought was read by the educated or toffs.

Yet for many, many others his name was symbolic of more than one era of our game’s great history all of the Dragons’ never to be repeated 11 straight premierships, the years of Clive Churchill, his mate from Hamilton in Newcastle, who guided the emergence of the Rabbitohs into the 70s, the Manly dominance of the 70s and the Parramatta-Canterbury battle for supremacy in the 80s.

Channel 7’s Controversy Corner on Sexy Rexy’s Sports Action on Channel 7, in black and white, every Sunday morning.

Trusted and confided by generations of league legends; conservative, concise, proper, always sounding and looking distinguished, I came across Clarko as an ambitious young journalist for the Daily Mirror in 1978.

One had to earn his respect over time and experience, and I must have because he became a good friend and supporter in his later years of serving the SMH. When he died, age 85, in July the game lost one of its great servants through his attitude to journalism that saw him never abuse the fortunate position he held of sitting in press boxes throughout the world and enjoying the privilege of describing the feats of those in sports he always respected and loved.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

However, others knew and competed with Clarkson more closely than I did, so I have taken some extracts of their tributes to paint a clearer picture.

Ian Heads, chief rugby league writer for the Daily Telegraph for many years and later Rugby League Week editor and prolific author and historian: The young Alan Clarkson cut an urbane figure in the muddy, bloody world of Sydney rugby league in the season of 1954. Originally from Newcastle, he had joined the Sydney Morning Herald and Sun-Herald as a young sports reporter, grabbing a welcome lifebuoy after learning years in agency work, with Australian United Press (AUP).

Before long the young journalist was tagged ‘Prince’, for his dashing good looks, his sense of style and a mellifluous voice that would have done Orson Welles or Richard Burton proud.

Through the next 45 years he would travel extensively - to four Olympic Games, a Commonwealth Games, six Kangaroo and World Cup (rugby league) tours to the northern hemisphere, two campaigns in New Zealand, Davis Cup tournaments and Australian tennis titles, and countless swimming championship carnivals.

I lunged and parried most days of every week for a number of years - he as Herald league and swimming writer, me as the Daily Telegraph league and swimming writer. For all the ebb and flow of lively competition for stories, the friendship was never threatened, and grew stronger as years went by.

His death after an unfussed decline in tune with the style of the man, closed the door on a particularly fruitful era of sporstwriting in Sydney. Some of the names around Clarkson’s early years were legendary in the field – Tom Goodman, Phil Tresidder, Bill Mordey, E.E. Christensen, Pat Farrell and Bert Lillye among them. All were hotshots of the old school….all of them gone now.

Roy Masters, who knew Clarko in a coach-journalist relationship before succeeding him as the Herald’s main league scribe in 1989, wrote in the SMH: His by-line on the back page of the Herald was identified with credibility, accuracy, lack of sensationalism and devoid of agendas.

He was fortunate to miss today’s 24-hour, seven-daysa-week 140-character twitterverse where stories are still evolving when they are written and the competition in media is not for truth but for immediacy, to be first published online.

Not for him a world where the prose of a thoughtful column has a life span shorter than a house fly.

He belonged to an era when a journalist’s biggest fear was a grave error in the headline or the opening par, not whether he should have rushed to print with a halfchecked story.

I knew “Clarko” first as a rugby league coach, then as a colleague, joining the Herald in 1988, my first year with the paper and his last as a full-time reporter. We also shared the indescribable grief of each losing a teenage son after a long illness, “Clarko” having lost Peter a few years before Paul died in 1984.

“Clarko” was never one to attack the keys of his typewriter with a cosh.

Gary Lester shared the same floor of the Fairfax building with Clarkson for two decades, Lester as league and tennis writer for the Sydney Sun afternoon paper while Clarkson was on the sisterpublication in the mornings.

I remember Alan Clarkson for a number of reasons, none more than that I basically saw Clarko almost every day for 20 or so years - not sure who was the winner there! During the 1970s and 1980s the sporting staffs of the two Fairfax papers shared part of the floor, an openspaced precinct, and in full view of each other.

Clarko was good for The Herald - respected, conservative, more interested in the substance of his stories than controversy for controversy sake. I remember two stories that Clarko wrote well - one was of his son Peter after he died in 1979 and the other an obituary of Clive Churchill in 1985 with whom Clarko had a special bond since they were schoolmates. Alan had written both with understandable deep emotion and it had shone through in his writings.

For a time, one might have thought Alan and I were inseparable since we both covered the Australian tennis circuit for a period. My suspicion here was that tennis was Alan’s favourite sport.

It was a time when Evonne Goolagong was at her zenith, when Australian men’s tennis was a pleasure to cover, where John Newcombe was still winning grand slam events; Tony Roche, when he wasn’t watching his beloved Bulldogs, was his partner in crime and Ken Rosewall hadn’t lost his touch.

We were invited to the inner sanctum of Newk’s late nights - and early mornings - both of us keen to make our escapes to fulfil our commitments to the next day’s news coverage - mine an early wake up call to help fill the The Sun’s first edition and, as always, Alan, with a casual stroll to breakfast and a late morning appearance at the courts.

This is a friendly reminder that your payment of the 2015-2016 annual fee is due on 1 October. Your ongoing annual support in this regard will make a huge difference to the operations of the Foundation. Payments can be made online at menofleague.com/membership/annual-fee or by calling the National Office on 02 8765 2232.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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MEN OF LEAGUE EVENTS CALENDAR SEPTEMBER 4

Northern Sydney - Golf Day

Warringah Golf Club

13

Mid North Coast - Bowls Day

Taree Leagues Club

13

Northern Rivers - Kick Off Club

Macleans

13

North Coast - Bowls Day

Sawtell Bowls Club

17

QLD - Queensland Luncheon

Brisbane Convention Centre

19

Fraser Coast - 'Back to Burnett' Sportsman Dinner

Mundubbera

23

Far North QLD - Australian Rugby League PM's XIII Dinner

Court House Hotel

25

Bundaberg - Kick Off Club

Salter Oval

25

Central Coast - Golf Day

Shelley Beach Golf Club

25

Illawarra - Finals Luncheon

Wests Illawarra Leagues Club

27

Nelson Bay - Bowls Day

Nelson Bay Bowling Club

2

Tuggerah Lakes - Kick Off Club

Norah Head Sports Club

8

Sunshine Coast - Kick Off Club

Mooloolaba Surf Club

10

Peer 2 Peer - Kokoda Challenge

Kokoda

11

Tweed District - Bowls Day

Coolangatta Bowls Day

17

Riverina - Race Day

Murrumbidgee Turf Club, Wagga Wagga

17

Upper Hunter - Bowls Day

Scone RSL

18

Northern Rivers - Golf Day

Ballina Golf Club

21

Brisbane - Kick Off Club

Broncos Leagues Club

23

Bundaberg - Sportsman's Dinner

Brothers Sports Club

24

Goondiwindi - Golf Day

Goondiwindi Golf Club

24

National - Cox Plate Race Day

Royal Randwick Racecourse

30

Newcastle Hunter - Trots Night

Newcastle Harness Paceway

30

Sunshine Coast - Golf Day

Twin Waters Golf Club

30

Tuggerah Lakes - Golf Day

Wyong Golf Day

30

Western Region NSW - Gala Golf Day

Dubbo Golf Club

30

Illawarra - Kick Off Club

Shellharbour Workers Club

31

Canberra Monaro - BBQ & Bowls Day

Canberra Bowling Club

1

Far South Coast - Bowls Day

Club Bega

6

Townsville - Kick Off Club

Riverview Tavern

27

Bundaberg - Kick Off Club

Salter Oval

1

Illawarra - Kick Off Club

Collies Club

4

North Coast - Race Day/Luncheon

Coffs Harbour

10

Sunshine Coast - Christmas Luncheon

Mooloolaba Surf Club

13

Fraser Coast - Golf Day

TBA

13

Tweed District - Christmas Luncheon

Chinderah Hotel

16

Brisbane - Kick Off Club

Broncos Leagues Club

OCTOBER

NOVEMBER

DECEMBER

Events are subject to change

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

BEN WINNING HIS NEW CHALLENGE

BY MICHAEL BUETTNER

M

en of League’s welfare and education manager Ben Ross has returned to work after eight weeks in recovery after suffering a horrific broken arm in The Footy Show’s Iron Arm Challenge.

And while the former Test frontrower is in good spirits, he is still coming to grips with the injury that stunned viewers.

Ben broke the humerus bone in his right arm in three places and has had a 9cm metal plate inserted into his arm to repair the damage sustained after taking on Wendell Sailor in the final of the Iron Arm Challenge from which funds raised went to Men of League.

He was overwhelmed with the support and exposure that was created from this cruel accident that attracted more than eight million Youtube hits, 72 million Twitter hits and three million Instagram hits.

He now laughs that he is an “internet sensation”.

“I really didn’t think it would create as much interest as it did, but I guess when someone snaps their arm on live television, it’s certainly going to become a talking point,” he said.

“The pain at the time of the incident was excruciating and fortunately for me the mother of one of our welfare recipients who I had invited along to attend The Footy Show was an off duty paramedic.

“I can’t thank Kelly Ferguson enough for her support and professional assistance. Without

her there I’m not sure I would have coped as well as I did.”

Ben was taken to Royal North Shore Hospital where he was provided with pain killers to help ease the pain and then awaited scans and x rays to clearly identify the true extent of what had taken place.

“Whilst some people’s initial thoughts were it was just muscular, I knew instantly there was a definite break in the arm.

“Did I know it was going to be as horrendous as the scans and x rays revealed? Not in a thousand years.”

Within 24 hours of the incident, Ben underwent surgery and the recovery process began while trying to manage his numerous interview requests after news spread globally about the incident.

The Iron Arm Challenge started out as a great promotion for the Men of League with some of the game’s past players in the ultimate test of strength with the backing of Mark Bouris from Yellow Brick Road who kindly donated $20,000 to the Men of League Foundation.

Little did we know the exposure created from an arm wrestling contest was going to be so great.

A big thank you goes to the past players who participated that included Bronson Harrison, Josh Perry, Scott Geddes, Matt Cooper, Nathan Cayless and Wendell Sailor.

The recovery process will be a long one for Ben, but knowing how resilient he is and the strength he showed in his recovery after breaking his neck in 2009, and with the support of his beautiful wife Renai, he will be back to his best in no time.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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TEAM MEN OF LEAGUE THANK YOU FOR JOINING US BY WEARING #TEAMMENOFLEAGUE SOCKS IN 2015

Affiliated States and Territories Storm Police Rugby League

Affiliated States and Territories Storm Police Rugby League

Stuart Raper with Jack Bird and Valentine Holmes

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

Gold Coast under 12 at Jandowae Zone 4 Carnival 2015

A WEIGHTY DONATION

BY TONY DURKIN

T

wo Sunshine Coast families, shattered by accidents on the football field, have been the beneficiaries of some benevolent Sunshine Coast business people and their once-overweight colleague.

John Calcino, former chief financial officer of Reed Property Group and now co-owner of the Post Office Restaurant and Bar in Ocean Street Maroochydore, went on a weight loss program and shed 20kg. As a result $20,000 was donated to the Men of League Foundation.

But in announcing Men of League as the recipient of the donation, Mr Calcino specified the money be distributed locally. As a result, $10,000 was donated to the James Ackerman Trust and $10,000 to the family of Caboolture father of six Andrew Grant who fractured his C5 vertebra during a Sunshine Coast second division match in March.

Ackerman, a 25-year-old father of two, was knocked unconscious during a tackle in the early minutes of a Queensland Cup match in Brisbane on 20 June.

The Sunshine Coast Falcons prop never regained consciousness and died in hospital two days later. He left a wife and two young children.

The scheme to have Mr Calcino lose weight was hatched at the annual Sunshine Coast Men of League Christmas luncheon last December.

At the urging of fellow guests, Calcino agreed to a challenge to lose 20kg by June 30 this year. Led by Ken Reed of RPG, 10 business associates agreed to pay $100 per kilo if the goal was reached.

“We had the official weigh-in on 30 June and John actually dropped 20.8 kilos,” Reed, a long-time friend and business associate of Calcino announced.

He thanked the benefactors for their generosity and said not only would the money benefit people who really needed a helping hand, but confirmed the challenge had provided “our good friend John” with the required motivation to drop some weight and head back towards a healthier lifestyle.

“John has been in contact with the local Men of League committee stating his desire to see the money being used locally. An agreement was been reached

Ken Reed (left) and John Calcino (Photo courtesy of The Sunshine Coast Daily)

and those who supported him and we are pleased and proud the proceeds will go to two very worthwhile local causes,” Reed said.

“Half the money raised will be donated to the James Ackerman Trust Fund, for the benefit of James’ wife and two young children following his recent tragic death while playing for the Falcons against Norths in the Q Cup competition.

“The other 50 per cent will be donated to Andrew Grant and his family. Andrew is a 41-year-old veteran player from Caboolture who fractured his vertebrae when playing a lower grade match in May. It looks like Andrew may not walk again, so I am sure the proceeds will be well received by his family, including his wife and six young children.”

Men of League Sunshine Coast president Bob Hagan praised Calcino and his benefactors for their generous support, but said he was not surprised.

“Since our committee kicked off around eight years ago we have raised almost $200,000 here on the coast and the generosity of the locals has been truly amazing,” he said.

“The support we have received has enabled us to make lives a little more comfortable for some struggling families. And this is just another example of our charter, which states ‘to assist those from all levels of the rugby league family who, for various reasons, have fallen on hard times’.”

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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WESTS TIGERS’ GO-GETTER Marina Go, former journalist and magazine editor, is the second female chairperson in the NRL and is impressing with her leadership during challenging times with Wests Tigers. BY BARRY ROSS

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

Photo courtesy DAILY TELEGRAPH

T

hings haven’t been easy for the Wests Tigers during the past few years, on or off the field. They have had financial, coaching, administrative problems and have not made the final eight teams since 2011.

Acting CEO Phil Moss is the fifth CEO in a decade, following Steve Noyce, Scott Longmuir, Stephen Humphreys and Grant Mayer who resigned in June this year. The head coaching role has also had turnover with Tim Sheens dumped with two years remaining on his contract at the end of 2012, and Michael Potter lasting two season before Jason Taylor was appointed for 2015.

The Balmain side of the joint venture moved into a funding default last year and cannot have any board members until they again became financial. An NRL loan covered the funding defect for Balmain and intervened in the running of the club.

It is in this environment that the NRL was given its second female club chairperson in Marina Go in 2014.

A highly intelligent and successful businesswoman, Marina is the right person to lead the Tigers back to the straight and narrow.

She grew up in Sydney’s western suburbs, completed a Bachelor of Arts at Macquarie University and gained a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at the University of NSW. She began her working life as a tabloid journalist with the old Daily Mirror, writing news then lifestyle features.

At just 23 years of age, she became editor of Dolly Magazine and remained as an editor for various publications for close to 15 years. In 2000 she moved into publishing management and is general manager of the Hearst Brands, including Cosmopolitan, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar at Bauer media.

In 2005, the 49-year-old mother of two sons was appointed to the board of the group for two years and in 2007 began six years as a member of the Netball Australia board. Just a few weeks after finishing her work with netball, she was asked if she was interested in another sports board position - and entered the challenging world of the Wests Tigers.

She admits that there were some issues between the Balmain and Wests factions in the past, but is confident this is not the case now.

“No doubt there was some friction on the board in the past, but we mix very well now,” she emphasised.

“Three of us, including me, are independent, while Wests have two places. I keep the Balmain people informed of everything we do. The interests of the Wests Tigers is paramount for all of us.”

Many people believe that because of the loan to Balmain, the NRL control affairs at the club. Marina was quick to deny this.“I don’t report to Dave Smith or John Grant. We are not in the same situation as the Titans or some other clubs. We work for the shareholders not the NRL. It concerns me that the members and fans would think otherwise.”

Another thing Go is passionate about is the need for more female board members. “I do believe in quotas because successful and modern boards need the perspective from people of both sexes,” she said. “We have two women on our board but some clubs have none. I am the only Sydney female chairperson and because of this I get all the phone calls, just as Raelene Castle does as the only female CEO. “I would also like to see another woman on the commission. Rebecca Frizelle is, of course, doing the same job [as chairperson] with the Titans in Queensland.”

A centre of excellence is high on the club’s wish list.

Go explained how the Tigers have explored this idea with several councils. She said that Liverpool and Campbelltown councils have been the most active and that the Liverpool mayor Ned Mannoun is very proactive.

“We have very poor facilities and we have been very honest with all the councils,” she said. “We do not have the finances to do it ourselves and we would need some financial help from both the Federal and NSW governments, a council and the NRL. “ Another thing on her mind is the three grounds at which the club plays. She emphasised that decisions on this matter could only be done on informed data and statistics and not by what is felt in the heart. She pointed out that a decision, if any, about having one home ground is a long way off. The 10-year deal with ANZ stadium was completed before Marina joined the board.

“We are very aware of the tradition and history of Leichhardt oval, while Campbelltown also has some history. Some of our players, such as James Tedesco, love playing at Campbelltown,” she said.

“I would also stress that we have faith in our coach, Jason Taylor. We need time to get back to the top.

Young players, and we have several, are inconsistent, as can be shown by their great 34-16 win against Melbourne on 31 July and losses to teams lower down the ladder in weeks leading up to that great victory.

“We are not panicking as we believe the skills are there. We are thinking about the future of the club.

Any coach needs time and when we conducted the interviews for the coaching position, Jason had the strongest vision by far.”

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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WHERE BENNETT’S GLORY ROAD BEGAN It is 30 years since Wayne Bennett won his first premiership as a coach - the one that is forgotten in the context of his seven subsequent titles in the ‘national’ competition, but the one that was the making of a future coaching guru. BY STEVE RICKETTS

W

ayne Bennett is often mentioned in the media as a “seven times premiership winning icon”, but it was his first ‘unheralded’ title which was the making of him as a coach.

‘Big Mal’ had played for St Helens in England in between Australian seasons in 1984-85, and did not return to Brisbane until May, with Carr retaining the captaincy handed to him by Bennett in the pre-season.

Seven years before he won the first of his seven ARL/ NRL premierships (six with the Broncos and one at the Dragons) Bennett had guided Souths’ Magpies to a Brisbane title with a shock 10-8 win over hot-shots, Wynnum-Manly Seagulls in a Lang Park grand final epic played in front of a crowd of 31,000.

Carr was one of several key signings by Bennett, who acknowledged that the pack in particular needed strengthening.

The previous year Wynnum-Manly had thrashed Souths 42-8 in the decider, with the same two coaches at the helm - Bennett and Des Morris (Wynnum).

It was the biggest defeat in Brisbane grand final history, and forced Bennett into much soul searching in the off-season.

“I’ve learnt a lot of lessons in the past 12 months,’’ Bennett said after the ‘85 triumph. “There is no sense getting beaten like we did if you don’t learn from it.’’

Mal Meninga battled a knee injury to play in 1985, after carrying a rib injury for much of the ‘84 grand final. The ‘85 decider was Meninga’s last game for the Magpies, with the Test centre joining Canberra Raiders the following season.

“He’ll be remembered as a superstar,’’ predicted Bennett, who also found his way to the national capital - in 1987. “It took a lot of courage for him to play today, and he needed a few needles so he could get out there.”

Meninga would go on to captain the Raiders, but in ‘85 Souths skipper was veteran lock Norm Carr who played 13 times for Queensland between 1976 and 1982, including three State of Origin matches.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

In addition to Carr (Brisbane Wests), the Magpies signed former Parramatta premiership forward Chris Phelan (from Oldham in England) and John Elias (South Sydney). Another key recruit was tough halfback Wayne Cullen from the Newcastle competition. Hooker Eddie Muller was the only survivor from the ‘84 pack to play in the ‘85 triumph.

Souths earned victory through a gritty defensive play against a Wynnum side which included current or future internationals Wally Lewis, Gene Miles, Colin Scott, Greg Dowling and Gary Coyne as well as Queensland Origin reps Terry Butler and brothers Ian and Brett French. Future Test lock Bob Lindner, who had defected from Souths in the off-season, was unavailable through injury.

The Magpies current or future internationals were Meninga, Gary Belcher and Peter Jackson, while Carr and Phelan had played Origin, and second-rower Scott Tronc would go on to play for Queensland.

Muller played for the Maroons against New Zealand in ‘84.

Souths led 10-2 at half-time with Carr showing enormous strength to score near the posts after a bust by man of the match Elias.

The Magpies defence did not crack until the 68th minute when replacement Wynnum forward Craig Adams scored a strong try.

“Winning the grand final means a great deal to me because I have had my share of knockers within the media and from a few people outside the media.

After the match Bennett reflected on a round three 12-0 win over a Redcliffe outfit boasting rep stars John Ribot, Greg Conescu, Bryan Niebling, Mitch Brennan, Dave Trewhella, Shane Bernardin and Trevor Benson.

“Normie Carr came into the dressing rooms after that match, took off his jersey and looked around at his exhausted teammates before saying ‘We’ve really got a football team here’,” Bennett said.

“Winning the grand final means a great deal to me because I have had my share of knockers within the media and from a few people outside the media. I have never been a loser and it just annoys me I had to win a premiership to prove I’m not a loser.”

Bennett had built a club with great depth, the Magpies winning the third grade and under-21 grand finals, while the reserve grade went down 22-16 to Past Brothers, Bennett’s former club. Former Wallaby Tony D’Arcy played reserve grade for Souths.

Wayne Bennett … the glory began with Souths Brisbane

In 1986 Bennett became Queensland coaching director and took over the State of Origin reins from Des Morris.

But Bennett’s hunger for the challenge of week-toweek club coaching was too strong, and he became Don Furner’s right hand man at Canberra in ‘87, taking them to their first grand final, before returning to Brisbane to coach the Broncos in 1988, the year the BRL premiership took a back seat to the new ‘national’ competition.

1985 GRAND FINAL TEAMS: SOUTHS Gary Belcher; Ken Gittens, Peter Jackson, Mal Meninga, Paul Wallace; Gary French, Wayne Cullen; Norm Carr (c), John Elias, Scott Tronc, Chris Phelan, Eddie Muller, Mark Meskell.

WYNNUM-MANLY Colin Scott; Terry Butler, Brett French, Gene Miles, Warren Green; Wally Lewis, Peter Dawes; Craig Farrugia, Tony Jemmott, Ian French, Greg Dowling, David Green (c), Gary Coyne.

Souths 10 (Norm Carr try; Gary French 3 goals) def.

Wynnum-Manly 8 (Craig Adams try; Warren Green 2 goals). Referee: David Manson.

Young Mal … Mal Meninga in the Magpies jersey.

Photos courtesy: DAILY TELEGRAPH

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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SOUTHS HEROES RELIVE GLORY

BY STEVE RICKETTS

C

hris Phelan won two Sydney premierships with Parramatta and two Brisbane deciders with Souths, but the title he cherishes the most came in the 1975 Townsville grand final.

In that match Chris played alongside older brother Pat, his hero as a youngster growing up, firstly in Ireland, and then in North Queensland.

Pat drowned in a boating mishap on the Brisbane River in 1978 after establishing his credentials as one of Souths’ Magpies toughest forwards.

Chris had been happy to stay in the north, but motivated by his brother’s death he moved to Brisbane late in 1979, and played for the Magpies in their shock 1980 grand final loss, before tasting success against Redcliffe in 1981 when he threw a crucial pass for the match winning try by winger Mick Reardon.

He moved to Sydney the following year and under coach Jack Gibson became the workhorse every side needs in the big games. Phelan played in the Eels’ 1982 and ‘83 grand final wins over Manly and the 6-4 loss to Canterbury in ‘84. At the end of the 1984 season he moved to England to play for Oldham, before returning to Brisbane for one last hit-out with the Magpies.

Reunited: From left - Ken Gittens, David Bourke, Paul Wallace, Mark Meskell, trainer Ken Rach and Chris Phelan.

Elias, one of rugby league’s most colourful characters, was born in Lebanon and coached the country of his birth at the 2000 World Cup in Europe.

He told the Souths’ reunion he had come to Brisbane from Souths in Sydney, via a stint in France, in ‘85, not knowing what to expect but confident he could teach the ‘cow cockies’ from Queensland a thing or two.

“Instead I learnt what it meant to be true mates and to work together for a cause,’’ he said.”It was the best year of my life, and I often wonder what would have happened had I stayed in Brisbane.’’ Elias was man of the match in the grand final, and was signed by CanterburyBankstown.

Belcher, who joined Meninga at the Canberra Raiders in 1986, said he had made up his mind to leave Brisbane midway through the year to get out of the shadow of Wynnum-Manly fullback Colin Scott who was first choice for Queensland.

The ‘85 side celebrated a reunion at Souths Leagues Club on 11 August. Coach Wayne Bennett and Test centre Mal Meninga sent their apologies, both men going down with illness just hours before the dinner.

Undoubtedly Belcher’s time would have come had he stayed in Brisbane,but the move to Canberra saw the Souths junior make his Origin debut in ‘86 at Scott’s expense, followed by selection for Australia two years later.

While their absence was felt, it did not interfere with a night of revelry which also paid tribute to Souths C grade and under-21 sides which won premierships on the same September Sunday in ‘85, and the reserve grade side which lost narrowly to Brothers.

Now 60, Norm Carr was the club’s elder statesmen in ‘85 after his former club Wests said he was free to go. He scored the Magpies’ only try in the decider, a barnstorming effort in which he brushed aside a tackle from Wynnum’s Test star Wally Lewis.

“Playing for Souths in Townsville I naturally supported Souths in Brisbane,’’ he said. “In Sydney I supported Parramatta because they wore the same blue and gold colours of the Townsville representative side.

“The try line couldn’t come up quick enough for me,’’ Carr recalled.”It felt good at the time, pushing Wally off. But winning a premiership starts with the front row, and that’s where Chris Phelan played, alongside, Mark Meskell.

“We were underdogs in the ‘85 grand final, but we always had faith in our ability. It was a great day, and a wonderful way to finish my career. But winning in ‘75 in Townsville is the grand final that I most fondly remember because Pat was there by my side.’’

“For mine, Chris Phelan wouldn’t be out of place as an Immortal, given what he has done in his career.’’

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Those words brought the house down as players from all four grades toasted the amazing 1985 season.

WHERE ARE THEY NOW WHITE KNIGHT QUAYLE REVISITS HIS ROOTS

Enjoying a big Men Of League bowls day at Manilla Bowling Club were (from left) John Quayle, Trevor Hatch, Ken Thompson, Bob Adamson, Neville Glover and Don Pascoe.

BY GEOFF NEWLING

J

ohn Quayle rekindled some fond memories when he returned to his old home town Manilla for a Men of League bowls day, unveiling a plaque commemorating Dally Messenger’s starting of rugby league in Tiger town.

He capped off the weekend by being inducted into the Tamworth Regional Sporting Hall Of Fame.

The former Easts and Parramatta star, who played for NSW and Australia before running the NSW Rugby League when it controlled what is now called the NRL competition, was generous in his praise of the Tamworth Regional Council and men such as Ron Surtees and Wally Franklin for honouring so many talented athletes and sporting stars with a such a “wonderful” hall of fame.

He then started with the Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee working on the preparations for the 2000 Olympics. “Sydney is still held up as the model for any major sporting event,” Quayle said. “It was a wonderful event.”

They also showed you don’t have to spend billions of dollars on major stadiums to be a success.

He pointed to the Greeks, who then held the 2004 Athens Games.

“This is a credit to them all,” Quayle said. “They have done such a professional job. It’s a wonderful achievement. I feel very honoured.”

He was employed as a consultant because of the success of the Sydney Games he’d helped run as part of Sydney Olympic Games Organising Committee.

The son of the local Anglican minister, Quayle grew up in Manilla and was an apprentice mechanic in Tamworth, working under Kevin George at McKnight Brothers, a local garage.

However the Greeks didn’t want to listen, telling him “take a weekend off” or “don’t worry about it, we know how to run it, we started them”.

“We had some good times,” George said. “He was a good mechanic and has always been such a good bloke.”

Building huge stadiums for the Athens Games cost something like $18 billion so it’s easy to see why they are in such turmoil now, he says.

Quayle moved to Sydney where he began his rugby league career with Eastern Suburbs in 1968, playing 45 games before heading to Parramatta where he played another 56 first grade games and was selected for NSW and Australia.

These days Quayle still dabbles in some administration as the chairman of the NSW Venues in Parramatta, Wollongong and Newcastle as well as being a driving force on the Newcastle Knights board, working to return them to success after such a disastrous period of turmoil under Nathan Tinkler.

He went to England in 1975 with the Australian World Cup team but suffered a shoulder injury and retired the following year. In 1983 he became the NSWRL’s first general manager, a position he held until 1996.

He also has a farm at Denman in the upper Hunter Valley where he spends much of his time, with wife Diane, on a property that grows grapes and is shared by Sydney Rooters chairman Nick Politis.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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BY YOUR SIDE

BEHIND A GOOD KNIGHT Knights legend Kurt Gidley is off to England in November after a lifetime in Newcastle. His wife Brooke looks back on the tough and rewarding career and the ahead to their next adventure. BY NEIL CADIGAN

T

he Newcastle people love their own. It’s perhaps the most parochial city in Australia. And loyalty means a lot. As does having a dig for your mate.

So it was always going to be emotional when their rugby league skipper Kurt Gidley said goodbye to a charged-up home crowd in round 25 ... for him, wife Brooke who shed a small tear alongside him on the field, and the thousands who stood as one as Kurt choked on his words saying goodbye.

After a horror run with injuries in the previous three years, he was there on the field on the Knights’ traditional “old boys day” – last home match of the year – scoring a try with his signature show-and-go and showing he has something in his legs and his heart to take to Warrington in England next season.

Fellow born-and-bred Novocastrian Brooke knew better than anyone the hardships Kurt had had to endure. And the joy he was given in return.

It didn’t matter that their Knights team hadn’t quite shaken off the wooden spoon when they fell two points short against finals-bound Canterbury in Gidley’s 250th first grade match.

Coming from a non-sporting family she knew little of rugby league and the Knights when she met Kurt at a Newcastle pub, and was the target of no punchy pickup line but a dance-floor challenge.

Because when it came to “having a dig”, no one in the Newcastle Knights’ 28-season history had embellished that spirit more than Kurt Gidley.

“Yeah, he challenged me to a dance off and I’m pretty sure he won,” Brooke laughed at their introduction. “He’s a good dancer, I have to give him that much. He says his style is ‘interpretive’ so he goes with the flow.”

He was a skinny teenager who wanted to emulate older brother Matthew who was a schoolboy sensation and first grader at 18 and an Australian Schoolboys touring teammate of Danny Buderus who stands as one of the Gidley brothers’ best mates.

Kurt couldn’t even make a Newcastle representative side until he was 17. He debuted in the NRL as a scrawny utility back off the bench in 2001 towards the end of their second and last premiership year. He would pick the brains of brother Matt, Andrew Johns and train endless extra sessions with him and Buderus trying to refine a game well enough to make him a good first grader.

He worked hard in the gym to bulk up to a chunky 86kg ball of muscle. As captain, he became the player spokesman in troubled times during coach sackings, drug charges and the Nathan Tinkler takeover and sad exit. He constantly wore his heart on his sleeve with candour and courage.

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“I took her for a dance and the rest is history,” Kurt laughed.

And while their life together has many treasured memories, Brooke knows too there were times when there were few smiles, let alone a laugh, when her husband faced much adversity.

Asked to describe the toughest and best parts of a life of a boots-and-all footballer, she was definitive.

“The hardest things are the injuries and the losses, especially when they lose for a long period; I saw it wear him down and him get so drained by it because he is so passionate about the Knights and Newcastle,” Brooke said.

Time could have been kinder to them. Kurt became a regular first grader in the sixth successive season

of finals for the Knights but only went there again five times in the next 13 seasons although he became NSW skipper and a regular Test player.

FAREWELL FOR NOW … Kurt Gidley with wife Brooke and children Arabella and Macy.

“The injuries are really tough too; it is the worst part of the sport they play. I don’t think a lot of people realise how tough they take it. It is really emotional for them when there are out for a long time, the physical side of it is second to the emotional side when they can’t play for the club and with their mates.

“We hadn’t been going out long and Kurt was injured and I remember taking Kris Buderus aside and asking ‘is this normal, do they act like this and get angry and the rest of it’ and she said ‘oh yeah, this is it, get used to it!’. The first few weeks are the toughest for players; getting through the operation and the treatment required and getting their head around not being able to play for a while but they come good after that.”

Yet the pleasures, the rewards, are more than money and recognitio for the 251-game Knight.

“The best part is seeing your husband do what he loves week in week out; seeing the joy he gets from playing and to spend time for the boys,” she says.

“That’s what Kurt lives for and is so passionate about, and we’re both so grateful for him to be able to do what he loves for as long as he has, and for the opportunity to meet so many great people through football.

“He would have loved to have gone out in a grand final but that wasn’t the issue for me; I just wanted him to say goodbye on a positive note, just playing well without injuries and getting a few wins at the end with his good mates, and I think he achieved that. He got to get a send-off in front of the crowd like he wanted.”

And emphasising that point even more is the history of the captains Kurt walked in the path of as a genuine, and much feted, leader. Paul Harragon was teary but busted when he said goodbye after he retired prematurely in 1999; the same fate befell Andrew Johns in 2007 and Buderus as he nursed a broken wing on old boys day, the scheduled farewell appearance in 2008. Fortunately he returned from four seasons in England for a two-season encore.

The other side of Kurt Gidley that Brooke can reveal is that he’s a genuine romantic – with flowers and surprise gifts part of his repertoire – and a great Dad to their two daughters, Macy (13 months) and Arabella (three). “It’s great to come home and straight away the kids give you a new perspective on life,” said Kurt.

“And the support Brooke has given me is unbelievable; I’m pretty blessed.”

In his long representative career that saw Kurt play 12 Tests and 12 games for NSW (eight as captain), he’d only toured England once while Brooke has never been there.

Yet they are looking forward to the new two-year chapter at Warrington, and following in the footsteps of Knights CEO Matt Gidley who went to St Helens for two seasons and stayed for four.

“I’ve never been to England but we have spoken to plenty who went to Super League and loved it,” Brooke says. “But for us it will be our first time away from our family and support network in Newcastle we’ve had all our lives.

“But football has given us so many great friendships, so I’m sure we’ll develop some more at Warrington.”

RUGBY LEAGUE WEEK WINNER CONGRATULATIONS GERMANO PAULAZZO Men of League would like to thank our loyal members for their continued support of the Foundation. To show our appreciation, we have randomly selected Germano Paulazzo (#16437) to win a one-year Rugby League Week magazine subscription! Special thanks to Rugby League Week who have kindly donated this prize. Keep an eye out in future magazines to see if you are the next member to win!

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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A FRIEND OF FOOTY

We profile one of the great corporate supporters of Men of League through the Queensland office, car king Bob Aldons. STEVE RICKETTS

W

ally Lewis bought his first car from Bob Aldons back in the late 1970s.

At the time Wally was an emerging star at Valleys Rugby League Club in Brisbane while Bob was just starting to make his mark in business.

Today Wally Lewis remains ‘The King’ of rugby league after a decorated playing career for Queensland and Australia, while Bob Aldons’ name is synonymous with the motor car industry.

What isn’t widely known about Bob is that he is now a generous, enthusiastic supporter of Men of League, just one of many worthy causes he has supported in an impressive business career.

Bob Aldons was born in Sri Lanka and educated at Stafford State School in Brisbane’s inner north, before attending St Paul’s College at Bald Hills on Brisbane’s northern extremity.

He played league and union at school, and club junior league for Brothers, before a knee injury forced him to concentrate on his other great sporting love, cricket.

“I was six weeks old when my parents brought me to Australia from Sri Lanka on the SS Orion, to escape civil unrest, and to give me a better life,’’ Bob said.

“Dad had worked as a bank teller in Sri Lanka, but started painting houses when he came to Brisbane, working for future Lord Mayor, Roy Harvey. After that, Dad started at the Brisbane City Council, thanks to Mr Harvey’s endeavours, and stayed there for 45 years.’’

On leaving school, Bob worked in the insurance industry and then as a sales executive with the Express Newspaper at Redcliffe.

When Rupert Murdoch closed the Express Group in 1977, Bob found himself out of work, with no real prospects. On visiting one of his clients, Torque Ford, to advise of the paper’s demise, one of the owners, Bryan Wood, suggested he apply for a fleet sales position.

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Within a few years, Bob had received several prestigious Ford Australia awards for sales.

“I’d sold a couple of cars to (Valleys and Queensland fullback) Alan Mills, and one day he rang to say he had a young fellow at his sport store at Brookside who wanted to buy his first car,’’ Bob recalled.

“I was sitting in Alan’s store, just talking to him, and in walks Wally Lewis. Wally was really young then, and I’m sure he won’t remember those events. But to this day I regard Wally as probably the greatest footballer to come out of Queensland, if not Australia.

“Cooper Cronk is my favourite current player, because he is a champion bloke as well as a champion player.

Chrysler sponsored him last season for no other reason than he is such a role model.’’

It was another Queensland star, Mitch Brennan, who was instrumental in Aldons’ involvement with Men of League.

Brennan and Aldons have been friends since the 1970s when Brennan burst on the scene with Souths in Brisbane before winning a premiership with St George in Sydney and then ultimately returning to Queensland to play for Redcliffe.

“Mitch worked for me for a while selling cars,’’ Aldon said.”He rang me one day and asked whether I remembered Darryl Van de Velde. I certainly did, from his days playing and coaching in Brisbane.

“Mitch told me Darryl was now Queensland chairman of Men of the League and they wanted to buy a car for the 2014 art union raffle. So Darryl came down and we caught up on old stories before I agreed to help out, through the Jeep Dealers of Queensland for the Men of League annual lunch.

“Men of League is a sensational organisation, but its needs more publicity. They need promotion in the market place, because there are only so many dollars that can go round in charitable endeavours.

“I’d like to stay involved because it’s a very generous thing people do for Men of League.

“It’s the guys who play for the enjoyment of the game, rather than the big dollars, that I want to see supported when things go wrong.’’

The list of those helped by Aldons is about as extensive as his cricket hero Sir Donald Bradman’s run scoring records. Bob has sponsored champion swimmers, Susie O’Neill, Leisel Jones and Jessica Schipper; the Redcliffe Hospital Foundation; RSPCA; Men’s Community Shed at Clontarf; Surf Life Saving Queensland and the Salvation Army, among others.

He was also a founding director of the Australian Technical College, North Brisbane.

Prior to his involvement with Men of League, Bob became a QRL sponsor, again largely from a conversation with Brennan.

Aldons has always enjoyed the company of league people, with former Redcliffe player and coach, the late John Barber, one of his all-time favourites. Barber and Australian coach Frank Stanton worked for Aldons at different stages of their playing and coaching stints at Redcliffe.

Stanton went on to coach the Kangaroos to an historic

undefeated tour of Britain and France in 1982, while Aldons’ star continued to rise in the motor industry. By the late 1980s he was running four dealerships with a team of over 100 sales and support staff.

Aldons is counting down to ‘retirement’, having sold his majority share of the award winning Northstar Motor Group at Redcliffe which now employs former Test hooker Steve Walters as business development manager.

“It’s not really retirement, just a change of direction,’’ Aldons explained. “From a business point of view it’s time to move on and to look for new opportunities. I’m passionate about getting into consultancy, so I can help dealerships that are doing it a bit hard.’’

Bob and his wife and business partner Suzi live at Woody Point on Bramble Bay and have two daughters, Kristin and Melinda.

The final word on Bob Aldons should go to Men of League’s Queensland state manager, Frank Barrett.

“Bob’s passion for league and the community is the perfect fit for Men of League. He has looked at us in an objective way and knows we are out there doing great work,’’ Frank said.

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CLEARY A FREAKISH TALENT Michael Cleary (left) receives his Honouree award from Men of League chairman and former teammate Ron Coote.

Former Rabbitohs flyer and multi-sport champion Michael Cleary’s unique place in Australia’s sporting landscape was recognised by the Foundation at its gala dinner. BY BARRY ROSS

M

ichael Cleary was the George Clooney of Australian sport in the 1960s, the heart throb of thousands of women young and old.

A schoolboy sprint champion who dreamed of going to the Olympics he went onto thrill rugby union fans before switching codes for the 1962 season and quickly becoming a crowd favourite.

Not only did he attract the male fans, but the fairer sex swelled the attendance figures to watch the handsome young winger play. He even did a touch of male modelling.

That was half a century ago but his feats and impact he had on rugby league were recognised at July’s gala dinner when he became Men of League’s 35th honouree for their contribution to the game.

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When Ron Coote called to tell him of this award, he says was a little embarrassed.

“I was overcome with emotion when Ron told me,” he said. “There have been so many great players over the years and many much better than me.

“The Men of League is a distinguished and eminent organisation and it is a genuine honour to be named as an honouree.

“You get forgotten as you grow old so it was a real thrill to be remembered. What a great night and the organisers should be congratulated on the event’s success.”

A young Michael Cleary was big, athletic, talented and very fast. As one of Australia’s best schoolboy sprinters while attending Waverley College he set

selected in Australia’s team for the Commonwealth Games in Perth in November 1962. He won a bronze medal in the 100 yards sprint, running 9.78 seconds.

He finished fifth in the 220 yards final while the relay team were also fifth after unluckily dropping the baton.

Cleary, the flying winger, in action for South Sydney.

Melbourne’s Gary Holdsworth was originally awarded the bronze medal with Cleary placed fourth, but after studying the official photo of the finish later that night, he was rightfully given third place.

His selection for these Games made him one of only four Australian triple international sportsmen alongside Snowy Baker (boxing, swimming, rugby union 19011908), Wal Mackney (rowing, rugby union, surf lifesaving 1933-1939) and Dick Thornett (water polo, rugby union, rugby league 1960-1964).

numerous schoolboy running records and was a key player in the school’s first XV who were undefeated premiers of the 1958 Catholic schools competition.

A bout of glandular fever cost him a place in Australia’s 1960 Olympic team and reluctantly he agreed to have a try at rugby union.

Randwick club officials had asked him to join their club for the 1959 season but instead he preferred to learn the ropes at his father’s commercial retailing business.

The next year he relented and was immediately graded with the Randwick firsts.

In his second season he scored an incredible 45 tries and also made his Wallaby Test debut. His rugby statistics include four tries in six Tests, four tries in four other minor games for Australia while on tour in South Africa, 14 tries for NSW in six games and 25 tries for Randwick in 23 first grade appearances.

After playing in all three Tests of the series against Fiji in 1961 Cleary was selected for the tour of South Africa. He played in every game on this tour and made the hard-to-please African crowds sit up with his three touchdowns against North Eastern at Burgersdorp and Australia’s only try in the 23-11 second Test loss at Port Elizabeth.

In his last game of club rugby he thrilled the crowd at Coogee Oval when he crossed for an seven tries in Randwick’s 55-13 win over Eastwood. This is still a Sydney club rugby record.

It was no wonder that the rugby league scouts wanted his services and he joined South Sydney for the 1962 season, as an amateur because he wanted to be

He made his league Test debut in 1962 in the 31-12 loss to Great Britain before touring with the Kangaroos in ‘63, and scoring 14 tries in his 21 games, including one Test, against France. He played eight Tests (five tries), 11 games for NSW and three for City firsts.

Cleary played nine seasons and 139 games for Souths, scoring 88 tries and playing in three grand final winning teams in 1967, ‘68 and ‘70. In 1971, he joined the Roosters for his final season, scoring five tries in his 13 matches.

Although he finished playing almost 44 years ago, Cleary values the many friends he made in rugby league. After a long lunch in late July with John Raper, Billy Smith, John Peard and others, he hugged all three Test men before leaving, saving a respectful kiss on the cheek for Raper with whom he played six Tests together and toured with the 1963 Kangaroos.

As a young man, Cleary worked in sales and later with the Millers Hotel Group. He joined the Australian Labor Party in 1965 and became the State Member for Coogee in July 1974 and held this seat until May 1999.

Under Premier Neville Wran, he served as the Minister for Sport, Recreation and Tourism from 1981 to 1988.

Now 75 and still in good health, Michael and his partner Maria live in Sydney’s inner western suburbs.

He has three daughters and two sons.

He regularly watches league on television and attends a few Souths matches each year.

Among many of his awards and honours, Cleary received an AO in 1992, was a member of the Sydney 2000 successful Olympic bid committee from 1992 to 1993, was included in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1999, and was made a life member of the SCG and Allianz Stadium in June 2012.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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COMMITTEE PROFILE SUNSHINE COAST

U

nder the leadership of former international and well-known ex-publican Bob Hagan, the Sunshine Coast Men of League committee has blossomed into one of the most proactive and financially successful outside the capital cities.

Bob was the catalyst for the formation of the committee back in 2007, not long after his arrival on the Sunshine Coast. His working life as a policeman, a publican and finally a rugby league administrator had him well versed in the needs of his many mates who had fallen on hard times, and also the camaraderie they missed as they reached their ‘golden’ years.

‘Having been involved with Men of League in Sydney almost from the start, I hit on the idea of starting a local committee.’

“When I moved to the Sunshine Coast to retire, almost every day I seemed to run into someone I knew from my footballing days,” he recalled.

“These reunions became so common that I figured there must be some avenue for people with similar interests – in our case rugby league – to meet on a regular basis and discuss old times. Having been involved with Men of League in Sydney almost from the start, I hit on the idea of starting a local committee.”

From 5pm to 7pm up to 100 members and guests are entertained by a high-profile guest speaker as they sip $2.20 XXXX Gold pots and devour quality finger food, all for the cost of $20.

In May the committee hosts a State of Origin luncheon and in December a Christmas luncheon, also with high-profile guest speakers and also at Mooloolaba Surf Club. Guests at these functions over the years read like a who’s who of celebrities – names such as Wayne Bennett, Phil Gould, Ron Coote, John Grant, Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, Mal Meninga, Ian Baker-Finch, Shane Webcke and Julie McDonald.

An annual golf day has also been held since 2007, with yet another capacity field set to take to the greens at Twin Waters on October 30 this year.

But as the social side of the committee blossoms, the area of welfare is not forgotten. Welfare officers John Bourke and Don Oxenham have been especially diligent in their roles and in the most recent welfare cases almost $40,000 has been distributed to worthy local cases.

The current Sunshine Coast committee consists of: Bob Hagan (chairman), Barry Marsden (secretary), Ian Waraker (treasurer), John Bourke (welfare officer) and Laurel Hagan, Les Geeves, Ian Dauth, Ian Smith, John Gribble, Paul Hart, Bruce McKirdy and Tony Durkin.

On 2 October 2007, the Sunshine Coast committee was formed with Bob Hagan elected president, Tim Dwyer secretary, Ray McKenzie treasurer, and a committee of Paul Hart, Don Oxenham, Ashley Robinson, Billy Moore, Les Geeves and Tony Durkin.

Co-patrons were – and still are – Harry Reed and Norm Provan.

From a group that initially aimed to bring former players together, the Sunshine Coast committee has grown into an organisation that hosts high-quality functions and regularly fundraises in the vicinity of $50,000 each year.

On the second Thursday of every second month – February, April, June, August and October – the KickOff Club is held at the iconic Mooloolaba Surf Club.

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Bob Hagan (second from left) with 2014 State of Origin luncheon guests Michael O’Connor, Danny McMaster and Gary Larson

ALUMNI NUMBERS GROWING

BY MICHAEL BUETTNER, NRL ALUMNI MANAGER

T

here have been numerous NRL Alumni events in recent months with many rugby league legends in attendance and this has seen the NRL Alumni program continue to grow and provide a connection back to the game.

In the lead up to Origin I, the Men of League - in conjunction with the NSWRL - co-hosted an event recognising the achievements of the 1985 NSW Blues team, the first NSW Origin team to win a series and probably most remembered for when Steve Mortimer kissed the hallowed turf of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

With the help of former Newcastle and Manly front-rower Josh Perry, the event saw many of the ‘85 squad and their guests attend a private function and then the match at ANZ Stadium. A big thank you to Steve Mortimer, Peter Wynn, David Brooks, Noel Cleal, Wayne Pearce, Gary Jack and Ben Elias for their attendance.

Thanks must also go to the NSWRL and ANZ Stadium for providing tickets.

State of Origin has always proved a great time to get former players back together and this was no different down in Melbourne for Game II where Men of League Melbourne conducted a Kick Off Club at the Imperial Hotel.

It was great to see so many people attend this event and in particular to see one of the original players from the 1980 Origin series, the first player to score a try in a State of Origin match - former Bulldogs

ABOVE: Former Storm boys (from left) Robbie Kearns, Dallas Johnson and Danny Williams.

BELOW LEFT: Interstate rivalry ‌ Queenslander Origin reps Darryl Brohman and Petero Civoniceva with passionate Blue Kearns. BOTTOM RIGHT: Original gathering of colourful characters.

and Test fullback Greg Brentnall who is a Melbourne local and has worked for many years for the Storm.

Also in attendance were former Storm players Robbie Kearns, Peter Robinson, Dallas Johnson and Danny Williams. We were also honoured to have former coach of the year Roy Masters who offered his thoughts on the Origin contest about to be played at the MCG. Following the Kick Off Club there was a Queensland rugby league function held at the Duke of Wellington, one of the oldest pubs in Melbourne and a chance for some good old fashioned interstate rivalry to take place with

former greats from both sides of the border sharing stories and providing their thoughts on the upcoming clash.

The debate was led by Paul Sironen and Kearns for the Blues against the Queensland forwards Johnson and Petero Civoniceva.

Also there was Brent Tate, Darryl Brohman, Gene Miles, Liam Fulton, Jamie Feeney and local boy Danny Williams.

A great night was had by all and, despite the fact we were in neutral territory, there was no doubt the opinions were divided as to who was going to go on and win the series.

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JOHN IS CLEARLY ONE TOUGH QUEENSLANDER John Cleary, the ‘other Cleary’ that toured with the greatest Kangaroos of 1963-64, had a fascinating life in rugby league and afterwards and some wonderful yarns worth re-telling. BY STEVE RICKETTS

J

ohn Cleary modestly talks of his ‘magic run’ during the 1963 domestic rugby league season when he played for Queensland, and was a shock selection for the Kangaroo touring side to Great Britain and France.

The 1963-64 ‘Roos were the first all-Australian side to bring the Ashes home from Britain, and are still regarded by many critics as the best team to leave these shores.

the time we got to Toowoomba, because all the papers were gone. But I still managed to get some sleep.

“Frank gave me a ‘True Rugby Man’ trophy in 1960, and he was very upset when I defected to league the following year.’’

Cleary’s code switch came after he was assigned as a teacher to Harrisville in the Fassifern Valley, to the south of Ipswich.

Cleary, a front row forward, did not play a Test on tour, but appeared in 17 club and provincial games in Britain and France.

Local farmer Gary Parcell, who had played seven league Tests for Australia by then, offered to drive Cleary to training at the Ipswich Brothers club.

He might have just as easily toured the British Isles with the Wallabies, given he played rugby union for Queensland before switching codes.

Cleary, who played league at Millmerran on the Darling Downs before boarding at Brisbane union stronghold Nudgee College, excelled in the 13-man code and played Bulimba Cup football for Ipswich against Brisbane and Toowoomba in 1961, ‘62 and ‘63.

Cleary was first selected for the Queensland rugby union side in 1959, as a breakaway, and played against touring British Lions and Maori sides, with future Great Britain league captain Bev Risman a member of the Lions side.

“I started in union with Harlequins club in Toowoomba, where I was attending teachers college,’’ Cleary said.

“Sometimes we struggled to get eight players together on game day, so I decided to play in Brisbane with Brothers.

“I would hitch hike to Brisbane to train, and then after training I would get a lift back to Toowoomba in a truck carrying The Courier-Mail newspapers.

“Frank O’Callaghan was the rugby union writer with ‘The Courier’, and Frank set things up with the driver, although the blokes loading the truck weren’t to know.

“I would hide behind the building waiting for the truck, and then jump in the back. They would load the papers all around me. It was very uncomfortable in the back by 34

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He made his state debut against the touring New Zealand side in 1963, and although the Kiwis won 14-10, Cleary more than held his own against a starstudded pack spearheaded by Maunga Emery and Mel Cooke.

“But I had broken my sternum the week before,’’ Cleary recalls. “My wife used to have to lift me out of bed and when I went to training I used to hide it. We didn’t have contact drills in those days.

“Our trainer Chloe Furness would strap me up with special padding but it didn’t have much effect.’’

Cleary was still troubled by the injury when he made his interstate debut late in the season, with New South Wales winning both matches in Sydney - 31-5 and 13-5.

“Every time I got tackled it was like a knife going into me,’’ Cleary said of his two matches against the

John Cleary (centre) with 1963 Queensland skipper, Barry Muir (left) and reserve forward, Trevor Niebling.

John Cleary at his Brisbane home.

Blues. “When I tried to tackle it was the same sort of feeling. I didn’t give myself much hope of making the Kangaroo touring team which was named soon after.

“Ron Lynch from New South Wales was a sure thing for the tour but broke his collarbone. A few other things happened and I got a magic run into the side.’’

After a match against Hunslet the players swapped Qantas Kangaroo pins for their rivals’ jerseys.

“We couldn’t believe our luck, but the next day the Hunslet manager came to our hotel wanting the jerseys back, because it was the only set they had,’’ Cleary said.

Cleary, Johnny Gleeson, Peter Gallagher, Ken Day and Barry Muir were the only Queensland-based players chosen in the Kangaroo squad, although Kevin Ryan (St George) and Noel Kelly (Wests) were ‘fair dinkum’ Queenslanders playing for Sydney clubs.

“It was a demanding tour in England. So many of their players were coalminers, and they were tough men.

Cleary and Ryan played together for Queensland in union, with Ryan representing the Wallabies before switching codes.

“But they weren’t in the class of some of our blokes, particularly Brian Hambly. He knocked out five that day.

The 1963-64 Kangaroos spent much of the England section of the tour based at Ilkley, a spa town in the Wharfe Valley to the north-west of the rugby league hotbed of Leeds.

“Mike Cleary (no relation to John) could also fight, even though he was a winger. And Peter Gallagher took no prisoners. He chased one French bloke for 100 metres to get at him.’’

They stayed at the Troutbeck, a hotel which had seen better days, and wasn’t liked by senior members of the side who had stayed there on the 1959-60 tour.

On his return to Australia, it hit home to Cleary the extent of the sacrifices his wife Margaret had made looking after their two daughters in basic conditions at Harrisville.

“Some of the blokes thought it was shocking, but I thought it was first class luxury compared with the dump my wife and I were forced to live in at Harrisville,’’ Cleary said.

“In France things got a bit wild as well. We played an invitation side at Albi, and they brought in these exunion internationals to rough up the Australians.

Cleary was paid £12 a week on tour and would send home £10 to his young family.

“But as I say, some of the players didn’t like the hotel.

Instead of opening doors, they would go through them. There was about £900 worth of damage and at the end of the tour they took money out of our bonuses to pay for repairs.’’

With the help of noted Brisbane coach Bob Bax, Cleary was offered a £1500 contract to coach the West End club in Townsville in 1964 but, under the rules of the day, players returning from overseas tours had to spend the following season with the club from where they were selected, unless there was a job transfer.

In his first match on tour - against Yorkshire at Hull - Cleary had his nose broken by British Test forward Derek ‘Rocky’ Turner, a noted amateur boxer.

Cleary’s wife met with the Director General of Education, and after some spirited discussion, her husband was granted a move to Townsville, on the

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condition it was reported as a teaching transfer and nothing to do with football.

In 1965 Cleary switched to Townsville Souths and won a premiership. He also played in two Foley Shield grand finals - in 1964 and ‘66 - losing both, the first to Innisfail and the second to Cairns.

Sydney referee Laurie Bruyeres was flown to Townsville to control the ‘64 Foley Shield decider, and incensed the locals by sending off Cleary and skipper Jim Paterson, a former Test forward, in the 12th and 15th minutes respectively.

“We had a good side, and I was never so comfortable about winning,’’ Cleary said. “Our second-rower Syd Clarke went on to play for Queensland and we had Wally Tallis (father of Gorden) at fullback, and a fine centre in Graham Charles.

“Jim (Paterson) said to me before the game I could do whatever I liked because no one had ever been sent off in a Foley Shield final.

“Early in the game (Innisfail centre) Ron Tait did something to me and I chased him, throwing punches, none of which landed. But Mr Bruyeres sent me off.

“I was having a shower and in walked Jimmy. He had been sent off too, although at first he refused to go, and officials had to go on to the ground.’’

Cleary quit football midway through the 1967 season and went into the hotel game in Townsville.

“I had 10 years in pubs and hated every moment of it,’’ he recalls. “They were purely beer houses. We would have the waterside workers, the miners from Greenvale - all wanting to fight one another.

“The Maoris would play the guitar until midnight, then fight for two or three hours and try to take on the publican. It was a horrible time.’’

Cleary kept his involvement with rugby league through the juniors and at one stage coached Gene Miles, Colin Scott and Tony Kambouris.

Miles and Scott would go on to play for Australia, while Kambouris won a Brisbane premiership with WynnumManly, alongside Miles and Scott.

“Tony was the best of the three as a junior,’’ Cleary said. “I used to say to Gene that he had to get rid of the one armed pass. It was no bloody good. Of course, that became his signature.’’

After he finished in the pub trade, Cleary worked for Bush Pilots as branch manager in Townsville.

“Qantas bought us out and that’s when I got my golden handshake,’’ Cleary said. “Bush Pilots would carry 2000 passengers in and out of Palm Island (off Townsville) every week. ‘The Grasshopper’ (Barry Gomersall) would referee games over there.’’

Cleary ran a limousine business on the Sunshine Coast before he retired. Margaret passed away eight years ago. They had four daughters - Susan, Kim, Nicolete and Peta - all now married and living in Brisbane.

A stalwart of the Coolum Surf Life Saving Club on the Sunshine Coast, Cleary, 76, lives at East Brisbane and is a regular at Brisbane Men of League Kick-off Club lunches.

John Cleary took ‘home movies’ on the ‘63-64 Kangaroo tour, showing the Kangaroos at work and play. The Queensland Rugby League history committee recently converted the 8mm film to DVD, and the highlights package will be shown at a future Men of League function.

PENRITH COMMITTEE LAUNCH The Men of League Penrith committee launched on Thursday 27 August with nearly 100 people attending a special event at the Tattersalls Hotel, Penrith.

The launch of the committee represents the first time that Penrith is officially represented as part of the network of committees across Australia.

The new Penrith based committee kicked off the night with a special donation of $15,000 from St Marys Leagues Club. In total more than $18,500 was raised on the night thanks to attendees.

New South Wales state manager Stuart Raper said: “With Penrith being such a strong rugby league community, it seems obvious to have a Men of League committee here. I look forward to working with our newest committee.”

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LEAGUE TRIVIA

6 Leeds won this year’s Challenge Cup in England with a record score. What was the score and who was it against?

1 Who were the opposing hookers in the first State of Origin match, played in 1980?

7 Of Melbourne Storm’s “big three” of Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, who has played the most games for the club?

2 Which NRL team has played in the finals the most times in the past decade?

8 Name the four Mortimer brothers who played first grade in the NSWRL competition.

3 Who has scored the most tries in grand final history?

4 Who has made the most grand final appearances?

9 There have been several father-son or brother combinations who have played State of Origin but only one was for different states. Who are they?

5 Name the only NRL club not to have made the finals in the past six seasons.

10 Willie Mason has played for five NRL clubs.

Name them.

ANSWERS: 1. Steve Edge (NSW) and John Lang (Qld). 2. Manly – 9 times, (2006-14). Melbourne 9 (all but when points were stripped in 2010) 3. Eddie Lumsden – 8 for St George 4. Norm Provan – 10 (1956-65) 5. Parramatta 6. 50-0 v Hull KR 7. Cameron Smith, 307 (as of round 26 2015) 8. Steve, Peter, Chris and Glen. 9. Steve Rogers (NSW) and Mat Rogers (Qld) 10. Canterbury, Sydney Roosters, North Queensland, Newcastle, Manly.

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REMEMBERING T The Foundation wishes to recognise the recent passing of the following people who left a positive legacy within the rugby league community.

For more tributes or expanded versions, go to www.menofleague.com

REGINALD AUSTIN OAM

DULCIE BRENTNALL

Reg had a successful and respected career over many years as a sprint coach/trainer with the North Sydney Bears and Manly Warringah. When at the Bears he trained the late Ken Irvine, one of the fastest players to have played rugby league. Apart from his involvement in rugby league, he was known as an inspirational athlete as a pro runner/coach with many wins in the 1960s and 1970s in NSW, Victoria and Tasmania including a close second in the 1964 Stawell Gift.

GARRY BURNS

Reg, a proud Men of League member, passed away recently, aged 78. He was a well-known and highly respected sportsman through his achievements in rugby league and as a professional and masters level runner.

He also held many world records in the masters category. In 1990 he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his services to veteran athletics and in 2010 was inducted into the Australian Masters Athletics Hall of Fame.

A son, Greg, shared his father’s lightning speed and played 15 first grade games with the Manly during 1987-1989 and had a long stint in England with Rochdale, Halifax, Salford and Huddersfield, where he was renowned for his try scoring ability.

DAVID BARNHILL

Country Rugby League is mourning the loss of former chairman and chief executive David Barnhill.

Current chief executive Terry Quinn said Barnhill’s contributions to Country Rugby League will never be forgotten: “David was an icon throughout rugby league who oversaw many significant changes to both Country Rugby League and the game. We cannot thank him enough for his contributions and our thoughts are with his family and friends in this tragic time.”

Barnhill was a well-respected figure throughout rugby league and will be sorely missed.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

Men of League Melbourne were saddened by the passing of our secretary Greg Brentnall’s mother Dulcie who passed away at the age of 93. Our sincere sympathy to the Brentnall family, Alexandra, Greg, Wendy, Mark and Hayley.

Garry passed away in June after a brave 11 year battle with illness. Born in Cowra he spent his early days in Boorowa and Wagga. His early football was played in Wagga before moving to Junee Diesels where he played in the premiership team under coach Don Furner.

He continued to give the Junee Diesels a further ten years’ service, some of these as captain-coach.

Renowned as a tough and skilful forward he also had a year with Cootamundra where he was chosen to represent Riverina against the touring Great Britain side.

He was a well-known bookmaker in the Riverina for 20 years and a keen owner of a number of successful harness racing horses. Garry was a valued committee member of the Men of League.

DOUG CRAMPTON

Doug Crampton, a proud Men of League member who was part of the inaugural Canberra Monaro committee formed in 2008, passed away in June, aged 69, after suffering a long period of illness.

Doug worked diligently contributing to the success of the committee. He was a very popular and respected member who always had a good word for everyone he was associated with.

Doug was born in Tumut and made his first grade debut at the age of 19 with Tumut Blues and was named in the club’s team of the century. His movements saw him play with the Toowoomba Whites in the Queensland competition and then move to Bathurst in the NSW Country competition.

THOSE NOW GONE In 1969 he was approached by the Queanbeyan Blues and he played there until retiring from playing in 1975.

During this time the Queanbeyan side was coached by Don Furner and had players such as internationals Jim Morgan, John Ballesty and Ian Thompson.

While playing for the Blues, Doug played for Country Seconds against Sydney at the SCG and from this game he was chosen to represent Combined Country and trialled with the Possible v Probables for a position in the Australian World Cup team.

REG HATTON

Speedy Newtown and Penrith winger Reg Hatton passed away aged 73.

A talented and successful professional runner, Reg played six seasons with Newtown (39 first grade games) from 1962-69 and two for the Panthers in 1970-71, scoring 16 tries in 35 top grade matches. During his first grade career, Reg played with such highly rated men as Brian ‘Chicka’ Moore, Bob Keyes, Brian Graham, Allan Maddalena, Laurie Fagan, Bob Carnegie, Bob Landers Grahame Moran, Mal McMartin and Paul Gibson.

GEORGE JARDINE

George Jardine was a hard and talented lock forward from the 1940s and 1950s. He played a key role in St George’s 19-12 win over South Sydney in the 1949 grand final despite running on with a probable broken wrist which he suffered late in the 18-7 win over Balmain in the final the previous week.

Born at Helensburgh, he came into grade with the local club in 1945, playing in the Illawarra second grade competition. The next season he began playing first grade with the newly formed Northern Suburbs club and was chosen for the Illawarra representative side at age 19.

PAUL FORD

Paul Ford loved his family, loved rugby league and loved living in retirement on the Sunshine Coast. But his love for Men of League, and what it offered in fellowship, was one of his very special pleasures in later life.

Known as Fudgy or Fordy, Paul (74) passed away in May. He is survived by his wife Anne, children Murray and Sallyanne and grand-daughters Krystal and Samantha.

As a schoolboy Paul played cricket, rugby league and soccer and also developed an interest in band music and became adept with the tenor horn, winning numerous Queensland state titles. As an adult he was a member of the Sandgate and South Brisbane Federal bands.

A centre, he represented Brisbane in junior rep teams and although he played mostly reserve grade at senior level for Easts Tigers, he did play first grade and also represented Brisbane in the Trades and Labour Cup. He later coached.

On Paul’s retirement the family moved to Buderim, but in 2001 he suffered a stroke. However when he regained his mobility and was able to drive again, he made regular trips to Brisbane to meet with former Easts teammates and attend Men of League events.

As these trips became onerous, he was delighted in 2007 when a Men of League committee formed on the Sunshine Coast.

Paul was a popular and regular attendee at all functions, and is greatly missed by his many mates.

GRAHAME ‘BUTCH’ KENNEDY

In 1947 he was selected for Country Seconds and St George offered him a contract.

Butch passed away peacefully, aged 71, at his home in Port Macquarie. The Men of League member was highly respected on and off the field.

He stayed with the Dragons until returning to Helensburgh in June 1952 and rejoining Northern Suburbs and Norths won their first ever Illawarra first grade grand final. He also spent the next 20 seasons or so coaching and working on the committee for Norths and then the Helensburgh club. With St George, he played 60 first grade matches and scored nine tries.

Butch began his playing days in 1960 in South Sydney juniors with the Pagewood Junior Rugby League Club as a forward alongside many excellent players including Wayne and Gary Stevens, Greg Pinson and Ronny Saville. In 1961 he toured New Zealand with the first South Sydney Jersey Flegg representative team alongside Bob McCarthy and Ron Coote.

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He went on to play lower grades as a fearless forward with the Rabbitohs before moving to Tumut before captain-coach stints with Tathra, Lower Clarence, Griffith, Parkes and Port Macquarie, Orange ExServices, Bathurst Railway Club and Burleigh Bears.

Butch will be sadly missed by his loving wife Jean, son Mack, daughter Keire, his two grandchildren and three great grandsons.

JOHN LASHER

Former New Zealand and Auckland hooker John Lasher passed away in June. Although he never played a Test match, he toured Australia with the 1956 Kiwi team.

In 1962 he was the hooker in the Auckland team that defeated the touring Great Britain side 46-13.

Graeme Farrar, the former New Zealand captain and halfback who is on Gold Coast the committee, held John in high regard, maintaining he was one of the best hookers to play the game.

RAY LYNCH

The Tumbarumba community and former Group 13 clubs were saddened by the loss of former tough and ageless hooker Ray Lynch. Starting his football in Erina, Ray moved south to Holbrook as player-coach in the early 1960s. Playing and coaching for a number of clubs in the former Group 13 area Ray was an automatic choice in group sides, also representing Riverina. He was the winner of the Waling Medal in 1976.

Ray’s connection with rugby league did not stop with retirement. In later years he turned to the administration side, leading Batlow and later Tumbarumba as president.

NOEL MCALLISTER

JOHN MCCARTHY

Illawarra Rugby League lost of one of its champions in August when John McCarthy passed away, aged 74.

The former Balmain player (seven first grade games and a third grade premiership) moved to the South Coast in 1970 to become captain-coach of Thirroul. In his first season, John led the Butchers to the Illawarra first grade final, while in 1971 and 1972, the team reached the grand final. The next season, John’s four goals gave Thirroul a tight 8-6 win over Wests in the 1973 grand final, the club’s second first grade premiership, in his farewell match. He scored 776 points for the club.

He went onto coach the under-18s and reserves to premierships and also coached in 1975-76 and 80-81.

John is survived by his wife, Rosalind and six sons, Ty, Chad, Rod, Josh, Dean and Ray.

DANNY O’CONNELL

Danny O’Connell, the younger brother of renowned international Wally, has died at age 84.

He played one match for Queensland, a historic clash with the touring American All Stars at the Gabba in 1953.

An accomplished five-eighth, O’Connell had travelled to Sydney with the Queensland side earlier in the year, but did not get a run against New South Wales.

Originally from Ayr, O’Connell played and coached extensively in the bush, including stints at Blackall, Toowoomba and Maryborough where he settled.

He captained Wide Bay against touring Great Britain and New Zealand sides in 1958 and 1959 and set points-scoring records in local club football.

Penrith District Rugby League Referee’s Association lost one of its oldest members with the passing of Noel McAlister, aged 81.

His son Gerard is mayor of the Fraser Coast Council which covers the Maryborough/Hervey Bay region.

Noel joined the association in 1972 and was graded to the NSWRL Referees Association a year later, alongside fellow Penrith member Barry Kendall, only the sixth member from the Penrith District to achieve this prestigious feat. Prior to joining the Penrith Association he was a referee in Group 10.

A talented front-rower, Paul Quinn became Gerringong’s first rugby league Test player in 1963 at the Sydney Cricket Ground against South Africa. Later that year he toured with the Kangaroos who became the first Australian team to win the Ashes in England.

On tour he played two Tests against Great Britain, one with France and 17 other tour games. He played his seventh and final Test at Carlaw Park in Auckland against New Zealand in 1965.

Noel was a member of Group 10. Noel and president John Mergan were instrumental in recruiting members from the upper Blue Mountains.

Noel resided in Katoomba for many years before moving to the Central Coast.

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PAUL QUINN

After returning home with the 1963 Kangaroos, Paul joined Newtown and in four seasons with the Bluebags, played 65 first grade matches. In 1969,

he returned to South Coast football as captain-coach of the St Michaels club, moved to Queanbeyan in 1970 as captain-coach and remained in the Canberra district, working as a sports journalist and radio sports commentator.

Peter is survived by his children Tony, Gerard, Greg, Peter and Catherine.

RON SMITH

The passing of Ron ‘The Bear’ Smith saddened the Nelson Bay community. Ron had a long association with rugby league and was a dedicated Men of League member. He was also founding father and driving force of the Angel Billy Golf Classic, held annually at Nelson Bay Golf Club, in aid of the Westpac Rescue Helicopter. Over 17 years it has raised over $500,000.

Born in Leichardt in 1928, the nuggety five-eighth centre was selected as an 18 year old in Balmain’s Presidents Cup team. As a 22 year old he was captain coach of Boorowa in the Maher Cup but was graded with Tigers next season. He transferred to Canterbury in 1951 and played three seasons before moving to Newtown in 1953.

Ron was co-opted to play with the touring American All Stars on their country tour, when they were hit with an injury crisis. He was assistant coach to Clarrie Jeffries at Newtown in 1976 before moving to Nelsons Bay where he continued coaching and giving to the community.

approach to rugby league: “If a man was a no hoper off the field, he was no good for the team’’ Cannon said.

“Dan wanted men with character.’’

Prior to a Test between Australia and Great Britain at Lang Park in 1970, Dan noticed a steward berating and talking down to an Indigenous woman. The woman was in tears, so Dan approached her and asked if he could be of assistance. She told him she had travelled from western Queensland to see her son play, and wanted access to the Frank Burke Stand to tell him she had made it. Dan took the lady into the stand and down into the dressing rooms to see her son, Arthur (Beetson), who would later become the first Indigenous captain of an Australian national sporting team.

TOM TYQUIN

Tom Tyquin died on July 15 aged 84. A 1956-57 Kangaroo tourist to Britain and France, Tom Tyquin made his Test debut against New Zealand in the 1956 home season, after scoring two tries for Queensland in a stirring 28-20 win over New South Wales at the Sydney Showground.

Born at Sarina, Tyquin went on to become a stalwart of the Brisbane Souths club and represented his state 16 times. He played six Tests for Australia and was a member of Australia’s 1957 World Cup squad.

Tom’s older brother Bill was an equally devastating forward, playing six Tests for Australia in 1948-49.

KEN STONESTREET

GEOFF WEEKES

Ken played lower grades with St George and Eastern Suburbs (now Sydney Roosters) before spending six seasons at Western Suburbs where he the first grade side and was selected for NSW in 1969.

The strapping centre played in two St George grand finals in their golden era of 1956-1966. In 1958 he partnered Reg Smith in the centres when St George defeated Wests 20-9 in the grand final and was beside Johnny Raper in the centres in 1959 when St George defeated Manly 20-0.

Ken Stonestreet passed away at the end of May following a battle with cancer (see page 56).

DAN TANNER

Dan Tanner, who has died at 91, was an accomplished front-rower for Gympie Brothers in Queensland but is best remembered for his role as a state and national selector in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

The World War II veteran became a state selector in 1967 and that year Queensland won one match and drew another in a credible display in a best of four series against the star studded NSW side.

He was elevated to the national panel in 1970, and remained there for three years. Former Queensland forward Reg Cannon, who delivered the eulogy at Tanner’s funeral, paid tribute to Dan’s philosophical

Former St George centre, three quarter Geoff Weekes passed away after a long illness.

The Men of League and the ruby league fraternity offer their sincere condolences to the Weekes family.

BRIAN ‘MICK’ MILLS

Brian was born and raised in Toongabbie. He was involved in rugby league for many years, playing for the Toongabbie Tigers, Hills District Bulls, Merrylands and St Marys.

He continued his passion for the game and enjoyed supporting his sons and grandsons on the field and was a keen supporter of the Balmain Tigers.

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LENDING A HELPING HAND DETERMINED DANIEL ENJOYS VISIT

Western Sydney secretary Garry O’Donnell, Chelsea Old Mates committeeman Col Downing and Sydney Metro welfare officer Warren Thompson visited Daniel Adra while he was laid up at home with a compound fracture of the fibula in his left leg.

The serious injury occurred in mid-April when Danny was tackled in an A-grade match playing for St George Dragons in the Canterbury Bankstown junior league. He is hopeful of getting into hospital quickly to have a second operation.

The 24-year-old has played with the same club since he was five.

This very likeable young man impressed the visitors with his determination to get mobile again and be able to do his job as a PE teacher.

TOSS ON THE MEND

Former Waikato, New Zealand halfback Toss Baker was in Brisbane hospital recovering from a serious blood disorder.

The illness was so severe that it required Toss to receive a complete blood transfusion.

Thankfully his brother Peter, who resides in North Queensland, was a compatible donor.

Toss played for Huntly South in the 1970s, and was in the the only Waikato side (post-war) to defeat Auckland.

Toss was pleased to receive a visit from Gold Coast Men of League welfare officer and former New Zealand captain Graeme Farrar who presented him with a Men of League cap.

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‘WEBBY’ INSPIRES BATTLING BEN

Three years ago Ben Beling was travelling to his in-laws’ home across Mt Mee tourist drive at 5am to help dip cattle when his car crashed over a steep part of the tourist drive and broke his neck.

The owner of the property came across Ben lying at the site about 11am.

About 18 months after the accident, Ben’s mother Jenny Weier sought contact with Men of League Southern Division (Queensland) president Andrew O’Brien, who Jenny knew through her late brother John Weier.

Unfortunately, Ben and his wife had parted company not long after the accident. They have a son Thomas, four. Jenny saw Ben was struggling and needing a boost and that’s when Men of League helped.

Andrew called on Ben. After Andrew’s visit, Ben enrolled in an agricultural course at the local university as he was very active in the cattle industry. Ben was still fairly reluctant to receive contact from people but Andrew persisted and arranged for Queensland Test and State of Origin legend Shane Webcke to visit Ben. The visit was just the medicine to keep him motivated and they talked about cattle, footy and other topics for ages.

Ben, who won the 2004 under18s player of the year for the Gatton Hawks, later attended the Gatton golf and lunch function on Friday 21 August.

Rob Pilon (left) and Ross Tighe (right) visit Earl Harrison

EARL HARRISON SUFFERS STROKE Earl Harrison, a former Group 14, Western Division, Country, NSW and Test player who was a member of the 1963 Kangaroos, had a stroke at his property at Gulargambone and is in rehab at Lourdes Hospital Dubbo. He is in good spirits and has all the use of his limbs and available to receive visitors.

(from left) Warren Thompson, Alan Webb, John Peard and Graham King (seated with John).

KING LOVES HIS RABBITOHS

Welfare officers Warren Thompson, Alan Webb along with John Peard headed south to Unanderra to catch up with Graham King and his wife Chrissy.

Graham was born in England and migrated to Australia with his parents at age 11, settling in the South Sydney area where Graham began a life-long following of his beloved Rabbitohs. Graham is a former player, coach and official for

the Maroubra Lions and Matraville Tigers clubs in the South Sydney Juniors.

before transferring this year to the Carlingford Cougars. They have another son, Daniel who is 17.

Sydney leagues and football clubs, and also ran a successful cleaning company.

In 2012 he was diagnosed with cancer and, with the support of Chrissy, he is fighting back in true South Sydney spirit. When asked who was his favourite Souths player his reply without hesitation was John “Lurch” O’Neill.

Joe also played touch football, was a coaching coordinator and managed local touch football competitions. The group are going to play annually for The Joe Habkouk Trophy and will be supported by the St George Maronite Catholic Church.

Brian also competed as a professional runner and followed his father and brother Greg into the pro boxing as a light heavyweight and fought at the Sydney Stadium at Rushcutters Bay. Brian is proud of his wife Jeannie, four brothers and their achievements - Reg (a singer), Greg (boxing title holder), Trevor (ex-drummer with the Bee Gees), the late Barry (a butcher) and of his two sisters Beverley and Joan.

During the visit John Peard produced a lot of humour with his yarns. Graham was presented with a Men of League polo shirt and, courtesy of South Sydney, a Rabbitohs cap, team posters, bumper stickers and a signed Souths Cares football.

As they were leaving, the Men of League men caught up with Peter Thompson who is also doing it tough. Peter, originally from Griffith, played in the top grade in the second row with the strong Collegians club in the Illawarra competition. Also a Souths fan, they were able to give him a Rabbitohs cap, team poster and bumper stickers. Peter had previously been visited by welfare officers from Illawarra and was very appreciative of their support.

HABKOUKS A SPECIAL FAMILY

Northern Sydney welfare officers Norm Pounder and Ken Vessey had never met the late Joe Habkouk, described as “a family man who was always smiling”.

But when they had the pleasure to meet his wife Selina, 14-yearold son Lewis, grandmother Sita Hissen and sister Rita at their home, it was obvious he was a fine man with a marvellous family.

Joe tragically lost his life in a motorcycle accident in May. In his rugby league playing days he played for Asquith and he and Selina were also keen workers for the Pennant Hills Stags where Lewis played for six seasons

The Habkouks are ardent St George Illawarra supporters. We presented Selina, Lewis and Daniel with Men of League polo shirts plus caps and also gave Lewis an added surprise of a St George Illawarra polo shirt and cap as recognition of the family’s long involvement and support of rugby league.

CHICKA REVELS IN FOOTY TALK

When welfare officers Norm Pounder, Ken Vessey and Warren Thompson visited Brian ‘Chicka’ Norton at the Royal North Shore Hospital where he was receiving treatment for some leg injuries, in no time at all the conversation flowed to past rugby league experiences, great times and friendships.

Brian was born in North Sydney and was graded with the Bears, where in 1968-1970 and 1975 he played 47 first grade games. In 1971 he transferred to the strong St George club where he played 43 first grade games.

He also played in Tamworth and represented NSW Country Firsts in 1967. Midway through 1985 he was appointed coach of the North Sydney first grade team after coaching in the lower grades. In 1986 he took the team to a play-off for fifth place.

He also coached in Darwin before returning to the North Sydney club where he gave invaluable service as a board member of both North

Gloria and Bryan Orrock are flanked by Les Pearce (left) and Don Parish.

BRYAN ORROCK RECOVERING WELL

Central Coast committee members Les Pearce, Dennis Tomsett and president Don Parish visited Bryan Orrock at his home in St Huberts Island. Bryan has had major operations removing cancers from the top of his head. He is in good spirits and hopes that there will be no need for further surgery.

Bryan and his wife Gloria were delighted to have the Men of League call. The conversation over afternoon tea centred around his career and comments on the current status of the game.

Bryan had a distinguished playing career as a front-rower, representing NSW and Australia.

He played for South Sydney from 1949 to 1951 and St George from 1952 to 1958. He ventured to the country as captain-coach of Boorowa (Maher Cup) and in the early 1960s he coached Condobolin.

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John Peard (left) and Grahame Bowen (right) visiting Bill Snowden.

BILL SNOWDEN WOULD LOVE VISITORS

Southern Sydney secretary Grahame Bowen, John Peard and Alan Webb visited Bill Snowden at Sir Thomas Mitchell Nursing Home in Illawong. Bill is turning 80 soon and is suffering from dementia.

Bill played for the Ponsonby Club in Auckland and represented New Zealand in 19 Tests from 19611965, six against Australia. He captained his country in 1965 against Australia and on tour to Great Britain and France.

The halfback moved to Sydney to play with Eastern Suburbs but was unable to obtain a clearance so he played in the juniors under a false name. He remained involved with Easts and was chairman of selectors with in 1974 and 1975.

Bill’s wife passed away a few years ago, and he would welcome a visit from any former associates.

MERV IN GOOD SPIRITS

To be in the company of Merv Seres, 84, and a longstanding Men of League member, is always a humorous and pleasant occasion.

When Northern Sydney welfare officers Norm Pounder, Fred Jackson and Ken Vessey visited Merv and his charming wife Olga it was no different. Merv was in fine form after recovering from treatment and was due to go home days later.

Merv has certainly had a varied and successful involvement on and 44

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off the field in a variety of sports.

A Manly junior who was graded with the club, he played rugby union with the St George prior to playing two years with the Newtown Bluebags in the 1950s as a dashing five-eighth. He left to play in Bundaberg, Ipswich, Rockhampton and Queensland Country Wide Bay representative teams.

In the 1990s he became a sports trainer with the Sea Eagles alongside the late Brian ‘The Sheriff’ Hollis and he worked with the NSW and Australian cricket teams, touring England with Allan Border’s Australian team and having tours of England with the NSW Police and Australian Police representative teams.

These days he follows his Sea Eagles, actively supports the Men of League activities and enjoys his life with Olga (they have been married for 54 years), their five sons, two daughters and seven grandchildren.

NOEL THORNTON LOSES A LEG

Former Western Suburbs and Cronulla hooker Noel Thornton is in rehabilitation after the amputation of his right leg below the knee due to poor blood circulation. He was due to undergo tests to see if he is able to be fitted with a prosthesis.

Noel played 35 games for the Magpies from 1965-66, and 43 for the Sharks in 1968-69. He coached Cronulla first grade in 1974 before joining Jack Gibson at Eastern Suburbs, where he coached the reserve grade team to a premiership.

Noel welcomed a visit from the Men of League Gold Coast welfare officers Greg Sylvester, Bob Honan and former Australian hooker Ron Turner at the John Flynn Hospital on the Gold Coast and they brightened his day by chatting about old times.

Ken Vessey, Darren Houghton, Fred Jackson, Norm Pounder, Sophie and Vincent Bond.

ROYAL REHAB VISIT

BY KEN VESSEY, NORTHERN SYDNEY COMMITTEE Whenever I make a make a visit to Royal Rehab, Putney with Northern Sydney welfare officers Norm Pounder and Fred Jackson, we are always amazed at the professionalism and caring attitude of staff members in the spinal and brain units and the courage and determination of their clients as they strive to overcome their serious injuries.

The visit on 14 July was no different. As we wandered through the units accompanied

by Jim Towers, marketing and communications manager, we renewed previous acquaintances with Vincent Bond, Lee Ferrier and Vickie Hudson, who are receiving treatment for spinal injuries.

We had the pleasure to meet Ernie Lunn from Port Macquarie who was progressing under treatment for a fall from a verandah. Ernie told us he was born in Kogarah and had been a fanatical St George supporter for as long as he could remember. We were not surprised when he told us the toughest rugby league player he had ever seen was Kevin Ryan.

We also met Darren Houghton who lived in Narrabeen and supported the Sea Eagles.

We wished those clients mentioned above and the many more we spoke to during our visit a speedy recovery and return to their homes.

An excellent chef, Alan and his brother Roy ran a Chinese restaurant in Kings Cross for many years. Alan’s family came to Sydney from Cobar, NSW when he was four years old and he has been a Souths man ever since.

Dennis Tomsett (left) and Les Pearce visiting John Spencer

JOHN SPENCER RECOVERING FROM STROKE Central Coast committee members Les Pearce, Lance Henry and Dennis Tomsett recently visited John ‘Spook’ Spencer at Gosford Hospital. John had suffered a stroke and was admitted to Gosford Hospital in late July.

John is having difficulty with his speech however he is in good care and has shown positive signs in his treatment, recovery and therapy.

He’d followed his father’s footsteps and had an illustrious career with Balmain Tigers from 19661975 and played second row in the Tigers’ premiership victory in 1969. In 1976 he captain-coached Waratah Mayfield in the Newcastle competition before returning to the Tigers to coached lower grades, then playing and coaching The Entrance.

A TRUE RABBITOHS MAN

Chelsea Old Mates representative Colin Downing and Sydney Metro welfare officer Warren Thompson visited 81-year-old Alan Wong at his home. Alan has some memory loss but looks and feels healthy with the excellent care of his devoted wife Kay. Alan played for the Rabbitohs during the 1950s as a halfback. The strong Souths team had many top line players including Australian half Col Donohue which made it difficult for Alan to crack a first grade spot. He later became a highly respected selector when Jack Gibson coached Souths in 1978-79.

From left: Ken Vessey, Tim Stuart, Norm Pounder and Warren Thompson

HEAD OF A TALENTED FAMILY

Whilst Men of League member John ‘Tim’ Stuart was a patient at the Mater Hospital Crows Nest, welfare officers Norm Pounder, Ken Vessey and Warren Thompson paid him a visit.

Tim was born in Alexandria Sydney, and played in the victorious Souths President’s Cup teams in 1962 and ‘63 under the master coach Clem Kennedy. He then moved to grade ranks with the Rabbitohs 1963-67.

His dream was to play first grade but with several international quality front-rowers on the books at Souths he made the big decision to transfer to Newtown and in 1968 he played four first grade games and many lower grade games. His last game for Newtown was at Brookvale Oval against Manly and coincidentally he marked Norm Pounder.

Tim has a wonderful family comprising his wife Maree, daughters Justine, Rebecca, Monique and Yvette, sons Josh (ex-North Sydney first grader) and Tim, plus sons-in-law including Jason Death and Ivan Cleary, both prominent NRL league identities.

There are also 19 grandchildren (ten boys and nine girls).

SPLINTER A HAY MAKER

Northern Sydney welfare officers Norm Pounder and Ken Vessey paid Raymond ‘Splinter’ Woods a visit while he was in Sydney for tests after his recent bone marrow transplant performed at St Vincent’s Hospital.

Splinter was born and has lived in Hay NSW for much of his life and played for Hay Magpies. After playing senior grades for the club, he coached teams during the struggling days in the early 2000s.

He also played rugby league in Adelaide for two years before returning to Hay. Splinter provided a valuable insight into the previous Country Group 17 competitions of which many are now in the Group 20 area. He spoke proudly of his involvement in teaching younger people in his area the language of the Wiradjuri Nation.

Splinter was due to return to Hay days later with his wife Kirsten and sons Liam and Lachlan. He spoke highly of the attention and care provided to by the staff at St Vincent’s Hospital, the Leukaemia Foundation and Angel Flight Australia who convey him to Sydney.

MELBOURNE

The Melbourne committee continues to support the Boggitt family who will relocate to Townsville later this year to be closer to a support network.

Committee members were also made aware of a player in the local VRL competition Venisi Nau who was hurt in a tackle resulting in neck and shoulder injuries. It is pleasing to report that he is on the mend and that the injury is not as serious as first thought.

During the Men of League Heritage Round match between Storm and Penrith, the committee was fortunate to be joined by both the Boggitt family and Venisi and his wife Michele for a ‘back to the game’ outing.

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THE MAKING OF MAL

Author Adrian McGregor had a Brisbane audience spellbound when he recalled the off-season of 1990 and the Kangaroo tour that saw Mal Meninga succeed Wally Lewis as an Aussie sporting icon in England. BY STEVE RICKETTS

N

oted Australian author and journalist Adrian McGregor settled into his new abode in the English village of Delph in June, 1990 in anticipation of the arrival of the Wally Lewis-led Kangaroos at the start of the northern hemisphere rugby league season.

McGregor arrived early in the ‘Old Dart’ to research the history of the clubs which would confront the ‘Roos, and also to assess the key British players.

Having already penned the best-selling ‘King Wally’ and ‘Wally and the Broncos’, a book on the 1990 Kangaroo tour of Britain and France would complete the Lewis trilogy.

But fate was to intervene, and McGregor had to change his approach when Lewis was controversially ruled out of the tour with a broken arm.

The new skipper was Lewis’s Queensland State of Origin teammate Mal Meninga from the Canberra Raiders, although Meninga was not totally ‘new’ to the position and he was primed for the challenge of replacing ‘The King’.

It was to be ‘The Making of a Legend’.

Meninga captained Australia against France at Parkes in the only Test of the 1990 domestic season, with Lewis absent after tearing his hamstring in a club match.

At the start of the season it appeared a formality that Lewis would become the first player to lead consecutive Kangaroo tours, especially as he had been inspirational in taking Australia to a 3-0 Test series whitewash of the Kiwis in New Zealand in 1989, and had been Australian captain since 1984, when he succeeded Max Krilich.

But 1990 proved the turning point in Lewis’s career, with the 30-year-old sacked as captain of the Broncos by coach Wayne Bennett with Gene Miles installed as the new leader.

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Lewis missed the first Origin match of 1990 through injury, with Paul Vautin taking the reins as the Maroons sought a fourth straight series win. NSW won that first match 8-0 and not even the return of Lewis for the return match in Melbourne could stave off the Blues’ challenge. NSW won 12-6 in Melbourne although Queensland salvaged pride with a 14-10 win at Lang Park in the third game.

Missing the Parkes Test was bad enough, but worse was to come for Lewis, who broke his arm in his comeback match against St George, the injury appearing to ruin any chance he had of leading the ‘Roos. But Lewis turned up for the team medical in September, armed with a clearance from his specialist, only for ARL doctor Nathan Gibbs to rule him out.

“Mal had made his mark before the 1990 tour, but it was there in the north of England that I believe he rose above club, state and Test football, and became a national, and indeed, international figure.”

McGregor set the scene for the Wembley Test: “Inside the famous stadium, 5000 holidaying Australians were packed into a section of the stands, and matched against them were the combined bands of the Queens’ Lancashire Regiment; the Royal Irish Rangers; the 80-member Philharmonic Choir and 50,000 British fans, all singing ‘Land of Hope and Glory’,’’ he said.

Lewis did not take the decision well, and all sorts of conspiracy theories were bandied about.

“It was quite intimidating. It was 2-all at half-time, but Britain prevailed 19-12, their first victory at home against Australia since 1978. Mal was completely flattened by the result. He said the final score embarrassed him.’’

At Delph, in the River Tame Valley near the rugby league stronghold of Oldham, McGregor was taken aback by the news from Australia.

Five days after the Test, McGregor attended a British Rugby League Writers’ dinner with tour co-manager Keith Barnes.

Out the window went the various names he had in mind for the Lewis inspired book, among them ‘Now Wally is the King of England’.

The Rugby Football League chairman Bob Ashby opened his address with a reference to the Wembley result.

And there was panic at Rugby Football League headquarters in Leeds, because they had based their Ashes Test promotions around Lewis.

“Keith (Barnes) has taken the result well, but the rest of the Aussies haven’t surfaced yet. They still have their heads under the pillow, I think,’’ Ashby said.

The drama of 1990 was eloquently extolled by McGregor in his delivery of the 2015 Ross Livermore Memorial Address in Suncorp Stadium’s Paddington Room on May 30.

Fulton made six changes for the return Test at Old Trafford in Manchester. Australia led 10-6 at half-time, but an intercept try by British replacement back Paul Loughlin from a Ricky Stuart pass in the 68th minute made it 10-all.

Staged annually since 2010 by Queensland Rugby League’s history committee, the address honours the memory of former QRL managing director, Ross Livermore.

McGregor title his 2015 address, ‘The Making of a Legend’.

“Mal had made his mark before the 1990 tour, but it was there in the north of England that I believe he rose above club, state and Test football, and became a national, and indeed, international figure,’’ McGregor said.

“At the end of the first press conference of the tour, [hooker] Kerrod Walters cheekily yelled out ‘Can we win without Wally?’ and Mal said ‘Yes’, and then he looked around and the whole team was falling about (with laughter). He had been set up.

“So Wally’s shadow loomed over Mal and he was going to have to lead from the front.’’

In the build-up to the first Test at Wembley, Australia beat St Helens, Wakefield, Wigan, Cumbria and Leeds, although the performance against Leeds was less than convincing, with Kangaroos winning 22-10, after Leeds led 10-0.

As Paul Eastwood lined up the conversion shot, Stuart held his head in his hands in horror. “It felt like a death in the family,’’ Stuart said later.

“Mal showed his leadership by taking Ricky aside, telling him to lift his head, and to keep playing his natural game,” said McGregor. “Stuart said those words picked him up and reminded him not to go into his shell.

“Eastwood missed the conversion shot and Stuart and [GB five-eighth] Garry Schofield were wide with field goal attempts, and then Schofield played safe, kicking into touch, and a scrum was set 90 metres from the British line, with the full-time whistle seconds away.

“What happened next changed the course of the tour and entered into the annals of rugby league history, with Meninga scoring the winning try after Stuart sold a dummy to British Test hooker Lee Jackson and galloped 70 metres down the right flank.

“Ricky said after the match he was exhausted during his run, but Mal was travelling like a truck. ‘When I saw him alongside me, it was the best feeling of my life’.”

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Meninga scored one of Australia’s most famous Test tries, Australia won 14-10 and the series was tied oneall, but the momentum had changed.

Mal Meninga (right) celebrates one of his greatest Test match moments with Ricky Stuart after the last-gasp try at Old Trafford in 1990.

Australia had to play Hull and Widnes before the deciding third Test and accounted for both clubs, although Widnes made the Kangaroos work hard for their 15-8 win in freezing conditions at Naughton Park.

Top Fleet Street journalists, who barely knew the difference between league and union, were drawn to the sold out Elland Road Test in Leeds after the Old Trafford spectacle had captured the imagination of television viewers nationwide.

Australia led only 4-0 at halftime, but out-smarted Britain after the break, with Meninga scoring a try off a Stuart pass when Schofield defied instructions from his coaching staff, and raced out of the line for an intercept. The Aussie won 14-0.

After the match McGregor interviewed Meninga, who said he would cherish the Ashes victory for a long time.

McGregor then asked Meninga about the future.

“It all depends on Wally,’’ he said. “If they want me to captain Australia again, I’ll gladly do the job.’’

Meninga went on to captain Australia in another 19 Tests, including Lewis’s last Test - a 24-8 loss to the Kiwis in Melbourne in 1991. Meninga captained the Kangaroos to another 2-1 series win in England in 1994 (the last traditional Kangaroo tour) and remains the only player to make four full Kangaroo tours, finishing with 46 Tests to his name.

“Some people lead with words. Mal led through deeds,’’ McGregor said. “Why he isn’t an Immortal is a mystery.’’

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McGregor remained in Britain until January 1991, at his little sandstone cottage in Delph, and completed the tour book ‘Simply the Best’.

One night he was watching the BBC 1990 Sports Awards, and they ‘crossed’ to Mal Meninga in Australia.

He had been named BBC Overseas Sports Personality of the Year, an award usually reserved for Olympians, golfers, soccer and tennis players.

“If this was a triumph for Mal, it was one for rugby league too,’’ McGregor said at the conclusion of his address. “It’s a shame full Kangaroo tours are no longer held.

“It’s the spirit of the English north which welcomes Australia. They have the same friendliness, the same sense of humour, and the same game.’’

COMMITTEE PROFILE ILLAWARRA

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he Illawarra committee was one of the first Men of League committees to form, back in 2003.

Headed by former Dragons and local top-line forward, the energetic Peter Fitzgerald, the Illawarra committee work tirelessly throughout the rugby league community in the steel region.

According to Peter, the success of Men of League in the region is down to the hard work of the committee.

“You’ve got to have a good committee and down here we do,” Peter said.

“The people who are all involved in Men of League are really genuine, hardworking and reliable people. We all have a passion for the game of rugby league that really shines through. That passion is important, because we’re all volunteers so we’re all doing this for the love of the game and the people of our game.”

The Illawarra committee have three iconic events that are set in stone each year. These events are the Warilla bowls day in July, their golf day and their finals luncheon.

The bowls day pulls between 250 and 270 people every year. “It’s huge. It’s just a marvellous day for everyone in town to really catch up every year. As a matter of fact, the day has become so big with so many people we now fill all the greens at the club every year, “ Fitzgerald said.

The annual golf day shifts around each year between Kembla Grange, Dapto and Wollongong. It’s another great day, with player numbers usually hitting the 140 mark.

“Our biggest event of the social calendar is our finals luncheon. We swap between venues, but this year it’s being held at Wests Illawarra Leagues Club on the Friday before grand final week. We’ll have 300 people come along to support the Men of League on that day.

It’s a renowned event.

“Thanks to the huge efforts from the committee, these events are not only financially successful days but very enjoyable for all who attend. There are so many people that help out to make the Men of League a

success down here. Guys like Allan Fitzgibbon, Andrew Farrar, Freddie Jones, Ronny Costello and Hal Browne are just invaluable,” Peter said.

One of their key regular activities are their Kick Off Clubs. The committee move these Kick Off Clubs to many areas throughout their region. These events are always well supported and provide a great opportunity for members to catch up in new venues and for people from across the region to get introduced to the Men of League.

The Illawarra welfare team are always very active and have many participants that are willing to put their hands up for a visit or two. The welfare team is built around guys like Kevin ‘Dutchy’ Holland and Ted Fitzgerald.

“As I keep saying, the welfare work is good for your soul.”

“Welfare is a tough job. It’s often the difficult side of the work that we do in to rugby league community, but ,as I keep saying, the welfare work is good for your soul. Walking out of a visit after telling some stories and giving them a hat and shirt really puts a smile on your face.

“It’s the camaraderie of being part of the Men of League that really lifts you up. We have blokes like Billy Brooks, Allen Kent, Ray Smiles and Barry Harle that are our ground workers. They’re the team at the coal face who will do every raffle, cook every barbeque and get out there in the grounds and get the work done. It’s a real team effort across the committee to make this a success.

“We go from Helensburgh to Shellharbour and have nine events a year. We get a lot of support from across our region from big clubs like West Illawarra, Dapto and Collies. We do our Christmas Kick Off club at Collies ever year. They are very generous and donate the food for the event to us. We’re very grateful for the support that we get from many of the local businesses, clubs and footy clubs. Our work would be so much more difficult without their support, ‘Fitzy’ concluded.

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BULLET COULDN’T STOP THOMPSON’S GREATNESS

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Duncan Thompson was regarded as one of the smartest players and coaches the game has seen, his career spanning more than 40 years in several capacities. We look back on his extraordinary contribution to rugby league. BY ANDREW FERGUSON

e had a brain for rugby league, creative, speedy, successful and spent most of his life with a bullet in his chest. He was Duncan Thompson.

Thompson was born in Warwick, Queensland on March 14, 1895. He joined the Australian Bank of Commerce in 1911. While at Ipswich he represented Combined Country in 1913 and Queensland in 1915.

In 1915 as World War I broke out, Thompson wanted to serve his country, but his mother prohibited it. In 1916, his job transferred him to Sydney, where he was immediately snapped up by the ailing Norths.

At the end of 1916, Duncan returned to Queensland where he enlisted with the Australian Imperial Forces.

He was shot through the chest in the battle of Dernancourt in 1917, but miraculously survived.

He was informed by doctors that a bullet was still lodged in his chest and would no longer be able to play

sport. However, Thompson continued playing, lining up for Ipswich and Queensland in 1919.

He earned a place in the first Australian Test team to tour New Zealand. On tour Thompson replaced Arthur Halloway in the third Test, which Australia won 34-23.

He was then selected at halfback for the fourth Test, which Australia won 32-2.

He relocated to Newcastle in 1920 and played for Newcastle Wests before moving back to Norths.

Thompson captained NSW in his first game against his beloved Queensland in 1921.

In 1921, Norths finished the season undefeated, claiming their first premiership. At the end of the season Thompson was selected in the Australian squad to tour England.

In 1922 Norths were sporting the most impressive backline in the competition, with Harold Horder, Cec Blinkhorn, Duncan Thompson, Herman Peters, Frank

Duncan Thompson was regarded by many as one of the greatest coaches of all time. Here he trains some teenagers in 1950.

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Rule and Dallas Hodgins, and annihilated Glebe 35-3 in the premiership Final.

In 1923, Norths struggled to dominate the competition, but it was their round 14 clash with Glebe at the SCG that proved most damaging. Thompson was sent off for allegedly kicking Glebe forward Tom McGrath.

The NSWRL judiciary found Thompson guilty and suspended him for the rest of the season.

Spectators claimed the incident was an accident.

Thompson was held back illegally after passing the ball and was trying to free himself when he accidentally struck McGrath in the face.

Thompson appealed the suspension and it was reduced but not overturned. He was so angered by the decision that he vowed never to play in Sydney again.

Thompson moved back to Toowoomba and opened a sports store. Despite his self-exile from the Sydney competition, he was still selected in the last two Tests against England in 1924. He also played for Queensland again in 1924 and 1925.

Thompson’s arrival to Toowoomba brought immediate success. In 1924 he played for Toowoomba on a contract worth ₤400 a year. In his first two years there, Toowoomba were deemed the greatest team in Australian rugby league.

In 1924 Toowoomba beat England (23-20), Ipswich (21-10, 31-8 and 33-18), NSW (16-0) and Victoria (47-18). In 1925 the undefeated run continued with victories over Brisbane (30-7 and 22-3), Ipswich (1813, 51-17 and also a 3-all draw) and New Zealand (16-14). The final match of the year was against

the 1925 undefeated Sydney premiers Souths, for many to declare them the greatest team in Australia.

Toowoomba won 12-5.

Season 1925 saw Toowoomba claim the first Bulimba Cup, a competition played between representative sides from Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba. They won every honour that was available to them.

At the end of the 1925 season Thompson retired from playing and took up tennis, lawn bowls and golf (where he had a handicap of three). He returned to national service in the World War II, serving as an amenities officer in Townsville and Papua New Guinea.

In 1951 Thompson accepted a role as Toowoomba coach, instantly leading them to six consecutive Bulimba Cup titles from 1951-56.

Thompson gave away his coaching role to take on administrative duties with the QRL, before becoming a Test selector in the late 1950s.

In 1960 Duncan Thompson was awarded an MBE for services to rugby league. He became a respected commentator for many years during and after his role as Test selector.

On May 17, 1980 Duncan Thompson passed away at a hospital in Auchenflower, Brisbane.

Thompson is one of the few sportsmen to have two grandstands named after him, one at Toowoomba and the other at North Sydney Oval.

His sports store closed not long after he died.

Thompson as part of the 1925 Queensland team (middle row, third from right).

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LOSS LESSENED WITH SPECIAL OFFERS

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he death of someone close to us changes us in many ways. Mostly we are aware of the emotional loss this can cause but there are other ways we can be affected by this as well.

Men of League has found a national partner in Simplicity Funerals who really understand the many ways a family, or even a whole community, can be affected by the passing of someone dear.

In the wake of a loss of this kind there will be a great many questions including “how should I remember this person”, “how can I support those around me at this time” and “how will I afford to be able to pay for a funeral at this time?”.

Simplicity Funerals has offered to help the Men of League community by providing two special offers that will be of real assistance in coping with the loss of a loved one.

Simplicity Funerals has now officially launched a special Men of League members price of $4595* on their prepaid funerals, which not only protects your family financially but also offers emotional benefits as well.

Prepay with Simplicity Funerals and you lock in the funeral you want at today’s price – making it inflation-

MARK ‘SNOW’ PATCH

Mark, a Wests forward of the fifties and 1961 has passed away at the age of 82. He had been living at Yamba in recent years and died from complications which developed after a knee replacement operation. Mark grew up in the Richmond River area and represented Country, City and NSW and later played for Monaro against the touring French side. He was a member of Wests’ losing grand final teams of 1958 and 1961.

RON BODEN

Ron Boden has passed away, aged 78. Born in Coonamble, he could handle any backline position.

His first big break came when, at 18 in 1955, he represented Western Division against the Frenchmen.

Duncan Thompson was quick to realise his ability and took him to Toowoomba the next year. Ron played six matches for Queensland and later three games for NSW. In 1959 he was selected to tour with the Kangaroos from Queensland. He met a pretty Lancashire lass from Southport named Marie on tour 52

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proof. A prepaid funeral lets you sit with a Simplicity team member, to plan the service you want, which leaves a testament of your wishes for those you leave behind. This makes a tremendous difference as it takes so much of the guesswork out of planning a service. When you take out a prepaid funeral plan, you can then relax knowing that you have provided for the emotional and financial protection of those who will be missing you.

Even if a prepaid funeral isn’t in place, Simplicity Funerals is still able to help as they are continuing their offer of a cremation funeral package available for $4595*, which is 25 per cent off their list price.

Simplicity Funerals loves contributing to a worthy cause and supporting local communities where they can. By supporting Men of League, they are helping to ensure the best outcomes for all who are involved with our game. By making these special offers to Men of League members, Simplicity Funerals is doing what it can to support us after the loss of someone close by making their care, experience and professionalism available to Men of League members through these special offers.

Speak to your nearest Simplicity Funerals location in New South Wales and Queensland for more information on the Men of League member specials or visit their website at simplicityfunerals.com.au/ menofleague. *Offer valid until January 2016. Terms and conditions apply – see simplicityfunerals.com.au/menofleague for more details

and the couple were married for 53 years. He joined Parramatta and played for Australia in the World Cup. He later moved to Taree, where he coached before spending his last years on the Central Coast.

JOHN EATON

John Eaton, a tough front-rower, did not start playing league until age 16 for Milla and five years later moved to Toowoomba to play for All Whites, coached by the legendary Duncan Thompson. He advanced played for Queensland seven times in the 1950s but, after suffering a knee injury, returned to North Queensland and played for Queensland Country but suffered a broken leg when Test honours may have been on the horizon. He captain-coached the only Eacham team to win the Foley Shield in 1961, with brothers Mick and Allan in them side, and captain-coached Far North Queensland against the touring Great Britain side in 1962. He was chosen in the Far North Queensland team of the century in 2008 and the All White team of then century in 2009.

GARRY O’DONNELL WESTERN SYDNEY’S GO-TO MAN

BY AARON HENRY

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n the western suburbs of Sydney, rugby league is pretty big. Some might say it’s a religion. As a renowned New South Wales rugby league nursery, there are lots of committed people working hard every weekend over winter. Lots of children playing, parents shuffling children around, coaches, referees, barbeque cooks, ground announcers and canteen ladies.

In western Sydney, Men of League ranks there is one man who is first among equals. That man is Garry O’Donnell.

Garry is known as the go-to man for everything rugby league and Men of League in the area. He was the inaugural president of the committee when it started in 2013 and currently serves as the secretary for the Western Sydney committee.

After being involved with rugby league for most of his life, his commitment to runs over into his professional life. Garry has been involved in the Parramatta junior scene for more than 20 years and is a rugby league tragic.

Well-known as a committed, dedicated and passionate rugby league supporter, it’s not just Western Sydney that Garry dedicates his time to. He attends as many other committee events as possible to help out – whereever help is needed, Garry is willing to be there.

Men of League New South Wales state manager Stuart Raper has only praise for O’Donnell. “Garry is the heart and soul of the Western Sydney committee.

He’s not the loudest or most outspoken person but when it comes to organising an event he is very diligent. Garry dots every ‘i’ and crosses every ‘t’. I think people work so hard around him because of the respect that he commands.

“Blokes like Garry are the true spirit of what the Men of League stands for: helping your mates and caring for the rugby league community.

“Garry can always be counted on to help out where it’s needed. His experience is invaluable for helping other committees avoid hiccups for events. As the heart and soul of the committee and with his untiring commitment Garry helps me do my job better.”

You can see the tight-knit, active group of 20 committee members regularly meeting at the Coolibah Hotel, planning their next event and talking about how they can help those less fortunate in the rugby league family.

There is a real sense of friendship and fellowship around everything that the Men of League Western Sydney committee does. Garry is central to that. That’s why he’s known as “the go-to man”.

PROUDLY SUPPORTING MEN OF LEAGUE

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LEAGUEWISE NRL WELFARE & EDUCATION

The goal of the NRL’s LeagueWise Welfare and Education program is to turn talented boys into men of character and integrity.

The LeagueWise program has three components: CareerWise, CharacterWise and HealthWise. Every element of the program is designed to help young players grow and develop their potential. The CareerWise program is designed to enhance performance, to help athletes play a better game on the field and support every area of their life, including work, school and further education. Every club has a qualified Career Coach whose job it is to deliver the CareerWise program and help players plan for life after sport. The program is delivered to all ages, from elite juniors (U16s and U18s), through to State League, National Youth Competition (NYC) and NRL players. The best athletes have a balanced approach to their football and their life. Below are a few examples of players who manage to not only play football but also have their own business.

THE NRL MEANS BUSINESS ON AND OFF THE FIELD SAM PERRETT

NRL Club: Canterbury Bulldogs NRL games: 231 Sydney Roosters 2004-12, Canterbury Bulldogs 2012-15

Sam is an apprentice mentor for the NRL and an Australian Apprenticeship Ambassador, promoting Australian apprenticeships as a worthwhile off-field career pathway. He has completed a Cert IV in Building and Construction and is currently undertaking an HIA accreditation licence safety certificate.

What is your business called? My business is called “The Perrett Group”: www.perrettgroup.com.au. It consists of three companies: Perrett Construction, Perrett Sales & Marketing and Perrett Development.

Where is your business located? The team and I work from everywhere with a main office located in Prestons.

When did you start your business? I started the business around two years ago.

What would be one piece of advice for players thinking of starting up a business? If you have a dream or passion, go for it, and keep going until you get it!

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

BRONSON HARRISON

NRL Club: St George Illawarra Dragons NRL games: 196 Wests Tigers 2004-08, Canberra Raiders 2009-12, St George Illawarra Dragons 2013-14

Bronson is an apprentice mentor for the NRL. He has completed a Cert III & IV in Fitness and is completing a Cert IV in Career Development.

What is your business called? I have two businesses: a gym called “Complete Strength and Performance” and a kid’s health and fitness program called CSP Athlete Factory. Through CSP we run holiday programs and weekly training sessions where I coach and mentor kids.

Where are your businesses located? Both businesses are based out of Concord Oval.

When did you start your business? I started the gym last year and the CSP Athlete Factory earlier this year Where can we find out more? Check out our websites: www.cspgym.com.au and www. cspathletefactory.com.au What would be one piece of advice you could give to players who are thinking of starting up a business?

Understand that your business is a journey, find people who share your vision and build a team that helps enhance what you are building. You are responsible for everything.

JASON NIGHTINGALE

NRL Club: St George Illawarra Dragons NRL games: 194 St George Illawarra Dragons 2007-15

Jason has completed a Cert III & IV Masters Trainer, Diploma of Business and a Cert IV in Small Business.

EABS networking night at Rugby League Central with Keynote speaker Mark Bouris

In January this year Rebecca Potter, Sam Jebeile and Jason Nightingale formed a company called Elite Athlete Business School (EABS). In March EABS developed a program to deliver a Certificate IV in Small Business which they piloted with following 17 NRL players: Blake Ayshford, Brenton Lawrence, Brock Ilett, David Williams, Gerard Beale, Heath L’estrange, Jason Nightingale, Justin Hunt, Kyle Stanley, Lagi Setu, Luke Keary, Nathan Gardner, Ricky Leutele, Tyson Lomano, David Frizell, Uiti Baker, Willie Manu and Yaw Kiti Glymin The course ran for 20 weeks during the 2015 regular season and the graduation is planned for December this year.

The program involved weekly workshops, hosted at Rugby League Central (RLC), and was supported by a flexible technology platform allowing players to complete their learning in between workshops. The course was in a format that suited the life demands of an NRL player.

EABS founder Rebecca Potter said course participants’ first major assessment was based on the competency of effective business networking where players attended a networking function at RLC with keynote speaker Mark Bouris and over 50 successful small business owners.

As part of the Cert IV, all players presented a business plan at the end of the course as their major assessment piece. Players had a choice whether to present on a business of their own or a mock business, with all choosing to present their own business idea.

“We do not fear the future for we are the future because of what we have achieved and what we will achieve”.

How did you come into partnership and form EABS with Rebecca and Sam? Sam was our career coach at the Dragons and we got to know each other through the club and the Graduates of League program as I was studying commerce at Wollongong University. We got to chatting one day about what all the boys had been saying they wanted to do when they finished their NRL careers. A lot of the boys had been saying that they planned on starting a small business. That’s when we came up with the idea to teach it alongside a mentoring program from business owners. Sam introduced Rebecca who is an expert in education and the real driver of our program. Together we came up with the plan on how to map the program to a Certificate IV and a way for Rebecca to teach it in a way that catered to athletes and the demands on their day-to-day lives.

How is your Cert IV in Business course different and more suitable for rugby league players? It’s different as it involves a lot of practical learning. We have sessions run by small business experts and a mentoring program that sets our students up with small business owners who give their time to mentor the boys and take them through some practical learning tasks. Tasks can be completed on a custom internet platform world learning centre and assignments are submitted during class or from home.

What feedback have you received from players about this course? The boys have really enjoyed the course.

Most days at training the Dragons boys who are in our class will chat about something interesting we’d learnt in class the night before. They enjoy the mentoring aspect and I feel like everyone in our group is confident in themselves. We had our presentations before we finished and seeing everyone present their business plans was a tribute to how far we’d come and how much work everyone had put in to develop their ideas into a organised plan.

What are your plans for future EABS courses? We are planning on taking enrolments in the off-season for next year’s course. We have had a lot of interest from the boys giving feedback to their teammates. We are also in the process of catering to recently retired players as a lot of them haven’t had the opportunity to learn about small business and they are also the people who will be looking to go out and live their lives as small business owners should that be the path they choose post rugby league.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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PROMOTING GOOD HEALTH MEN TOO CAN GET BREAST CANCER

Terry Hughes and John Peard visiting Ken Stonestreet in hospital while he was being treated earlier this year. Ken was a teammate of John’s when he made his debut for the Roosters in 1966.

B

reast cancer. It’s a terrible disease that can affect women only, right? No. It is rare in men, but it is real. And it has taken one of our own, Ken Stonestreet, who played 142 games for Eastern Suburbs and Western Suburbs (124 games) from 1963-72 and for NSW in 1969.

Ken was passionate about spreading the word that breast cancer can affect men. He was also passionate about footy, his family, the Macarthur district of southwestern Sydney and the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer Macarthur walkathon. He opened the walk, with wife Liz who was also a breast cancer sufferer, last year.

“Ken was very passionate about breast cancer in men, and after the completion of his treatment he wanted to get around and spread the word that men can get breast cancer too,” Liz said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t get a chance to do that.”

Ken underwent extensive treatment in December and January, expecting to make a full recovery and a possible five years cancer free. “However he never really improved and fairly soon cancer had spread to lung, liver, lymph nodes, neck and hip,” Liz said.

“His spirit remained strong and although he spent the last eight weeks of his life in hospital, he was constantly working to regain his strength to be able to come home.”

Sadly his wish did not come true and he passed away on 28 May. Fifteen years earlier Ken beat bladder cancer, but later it returned to his breasts and he had a double mastectomy.

Ken told the Macarthur Advertiser: ‘‘I have a chance to tell men that we can get it too. I was a knock-around bloke, liked a drink and a smoke, and you just don’t think you’re going to get it.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

‘‘We’ve all got breasts and it can be very aggressive in men; if you feel a lump, get checked.’’

The key for unsuspecting men is early detection.

There is a website that can help educate men about what to look for, and background on the rare cancer breastcancerinmen.canceraustralia.gov.au/welcomebreast-cancer-men-website Some basic messages are: DO MEN GET BREAST CANCER? Many people do not realise that men can develop breast cancer. Both men and women have breast tissue. Men have much less breast tissue than women. Most of the breast tissue in men is located behind the nipple. Breast cancer is uncommon in men, accounting for less than 1 per cent of all breast cancers. In 2010, 127 men were diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia.

WHAT IS BREAST CANCER IN MEN? Breast cancer in men is the same disease as that which affects women. Male breast cancer can be early or advanced at diagnosis.

Early breast cancer is cancer that is contained in the breast and may or may not have spread to the lymph nodes in the breast or armpit. Some cancer cells may have spread outside the breast and armpit area but cannot be detected. We do not know exactly how

long breast cancer takes to develop, but it usually grows slowly. It can be several years before a lump or thickening can be felt, although there can be other symptoms of breast cancer.

Paget’s disease of the nipple is a type of breast cancer that usually appears as a scaly red rash affecting the nipple and areola (the area around the nipple). Paget’s disease of the nipple is a rare form of breast cancer that begins in the ducts and spreads to the skin of the nipple and areola.

Inflammatory breast cancer is a type of breast cancer that causes the breast to appear swollen hot and red.

Inflammatory breast cancer is rare in both men and women; however it tends to grow more quickly than other types of breast cancer.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS The most common symptom of breast cancer in men is a painless lump in the breast close to the nipple.

Other possible symptoms include: • a discharge from the nipple • a change in the shape or appearance of the nipple • a change in the shape or appearance of the breast, such as swelling or dimpling pain • swollen lymph nodes (glands) under the arm.

It is important to see a doctor as soon as possible if you notice any new or unusual breast changes. If the changes are due to cancer, finding it early will mean a better chance of effective treatment.

DIAGNOSIS What does a diagnosis of breast cancer mean for men?

Breast cancer in men can be treated successfully. The majority of men diagnosed and treated for early breast cancer will not die from the disease. The prognosis for men with breast cancer is similar to that for women at the same age and stage of the cancer.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

CONFRATERNITY SHIELD LINK WITH FOUNDATION

T

he Confraternity Shield has a long-standing tradition in Queensland schools rugby league, played each year at a different venue and run by the Queensland Independent Secondary Schools Rugby League.

The carnival has been held annually since 1980 and has developed a reputation as one of the most formidable schoolboy rugby league competitions in Australia for the open age teams.

From humble beginnings in 1980 with just six teams, the carnival attracted 48 teams in 2015.

QISSRL is a corporate member of Men of League and named one of the four days of the carnival Men of League Day and invited all of the 47 participating

Maroons legend Petero Civoniceva and the QISSRL operations manager Mark Bunting at this year’s Confraternity Shield carnival.

schools to wear a pair of the Men of League socks.

Twenty schools purchased the socks and the players wore them on this day.

This year’s Shield was won by St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon which has produced many NRL players over the years. The Trophy was taken by Padua College Brisbane and the Plate by St Thomas Moore College.

Player of the carnival was Bailey Butler from St Brendan’s College; player of division two was Jacon O’Shea from Shalom Bundaberg while the player with the most potential award went to Darrius Farmer from St Thomas More.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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COMMITTEE NEWS BRISBANE

BY STEVE RICKETTS, PUBLICITY OFFICER Welfare officer Dennis Ward and secretary, Vance Rennie have been particularly active with welfare visits and activities in recent months.

Ward, who has replaced Pat Maguire as welfare officer, played six Tests for Australia between 1969-72 and is remembered fondly by many of those people he visits. It would be difficult to find a more enthusiastic worker, and Dennis is constantly looking for ways and means to better structure the welfare visits.

Former Canberra Raiders and Mackay player Rian Smith and former Narromine captain-coach Allan Tully were guests of Dennis and Vance at a recent Easts Tigers’ Intrust Super Cup home match and Men of League would like to thank Easts’ CEO, Des Morris for his assistance.

Rian was badly injured in a road accident last November and Allan has been battling a debilitating illness.

Former Test referee Tim Mander was interviewed by Steve Ricketts at the 17 June Kick Off Club lunch at Broncos Leagues Club and gave a fascinating insight into his career at NRL and international level, as well as opening up about his life as a politician in the Queensland Parliament.

The Brisbane committee has been represented at, and contributed to, a number of rugby league and charitable functions in recent months. They include the naming of the Queensland team for Origin I on 19 May with members of the 1975 Queensland side as special guests at the Exhibition Grounds. The 1975 team, coached by Barry Muir, was the last to beat New South Wales in a match prior to the Origin concept’s introduction in 1980; the Carbine Club Origin lunch on 6 July at Tatts Club, with players from the 1975 team again on the guest list; the Broncos 1995 team’s lunch on July 17, with special emphasis on the under-19 Brisbane XXXX premiership winning side, and Special Olympics sports lunch at the Pullman Hotel on 24 July.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

Leo Nosworthy and Don Parish enjoying the race day.

CENTRAL COAST

BY DENNIS TOMSETT, PUBLICITY OFFICER A race day was held at Gosford in July. This day was a huge success with a record number of 328 guests attending. The support and generosity of these people is very much appreciated.

Stuart Raper, NSW state manager, and Michael Buettner, NRL alumni manager, attended the event, mixing and chatting with the guests. It was great to see Leo Nosworthy join us for the day. In his early days, Leo played for Balmain before moving to the country where he achieved great success as captaincoach of Narromine and Dubbo Macquarie. He is best remembered for coaching Balmain Tigers first grade to win the 1969 premiership.

Many thanks once again to our loyal race sponsors Erina Leagues Club, Pearce’s Plastering, The Glasson Group, The Grange Hotel Wyoming, Brisbane Water Glass, The Entrance Leagues Club, and Star Of The Sea Terrigal.

It is pleasing to report that Laurie Fagan is back home again and doing well after spending some time in an aged care facility.

Members please note that our next event is the golf day to be held at Shelly Beach Golf Club on Friday 25 September. Be sure to book early for another great day of golf.

Barrett. MC for the night is Tony Durkin, so come along and enjoy the night.

CANBERRA MONARO

BY NOEL BISSETT OAM, PRESIDENT There was great support from both the Raiders and our local clubs during the Men of League Heritage Round week. Both the Raiders and Cronulla Sharks donned Men of League socks at their game at GIO Stadium, to add to this a majority of our junior clubs become involved and gave their support for the event.

We thank the Raiders CEO Don Furner and commercial marketing manager Jason Mathie very much for their support to our local committee. We have also been given a Raiders heritage jumper signed by all the first grade squad to be auctioned off at one of our upcoming functions. To add to this, 40 tickets were donated to the Raiders v Manly game in August at GIO Stadium.

The final of the NSW Country championships was held in Mudgee this year. The Canberra Region representative team, coached by former Raiders captain Simon Woolford, played well through the series to reach the final but unfortunately were beaten by a very much in-form Illawarra side that deserved their win.

However, Canberra did well in the selection of the NSW Country sides with four players - Marc Herbert, Sam Conlon, Joe Picker and Trevor Thurling - chosen in the firsts and Tom Ruediger, Code Medway, Junior Vatikani and Aaron McInnes selected in the seconds.

As written in the ‘Remembering Those Now Gone’ column, the Canberra Region is in sorrow at the loss in June of two Men of League stalwarts former International Paul Quinn and former NSW Country representative Doug Crampton. Both members will be sorely missed by us all.

BUNDABERG

BY TERRY DODD, PRESIDENT There is plenty happening in Bundy as we get closer to our main fundraising event of the year, our sportsmen’s night to be held at Brothers Sports Club on Friday 23 October.

We are now taking bookings of tables so just contact a committee member. Tables cost $500 each for 10 people and this includes a two-course sit-down meal, tea and coffee. Bar service is also available.

Our guests for the night are former Bronco great and State of Origin player Petero Civoniceva along with Men of League Queensland state manager Frank

Our committee is also looking into a race day at Thabeban Park in December. At this stage we are working with the race club to arrange the event. It should be a great day as I know a lot of our members like a punt on the horses.

Another day to put on your calendar is Friday 27 November for the final Kick Off Club meeting for 2015.

This is the night we want as many members to attend for a Christmas drink and a chat. The event is to be held at Salter Oval.

How great is it to see our secretary Geoff Rackemann back on the mend after being very sick for a long period during the year. Geoff has been secretary since we formed some seven years ago. His involvement in our committee is appreciated by all and especially by me for the work he does do. Thanks Racko!

TOWNSVILLE

BY BARRY BUCHANAN, VICE PRESIDENT At the June Kick Off Club it was a pleasure to welcome our guest speaker, Jenni-Sue Hoepper, who is a current Australian Jillaroos representative. Jenni-Sue is a Cairns girl who is an NRL game development officer in Townsville.

She spoke of her experiences at the World Cup in England, Nines in Auckland and this year’s Test win over the Kiwis. We were able to watch her in action in the women’s Origin game against New South Wales played at the Cowboys 1300 Smiles Stadium which finished in a 4-all draw. Thanks go to our sponsor Lion, and Brothers Leagues Club for their support on the day.

Our major fundraiser for 2015 has been completed and thanks to all who supported it, especially convenor Barry Peters and the committee members who rallied behind him. It would not have been possible without the generous donation from the NQ Cowboys.

The Maroons regaining of the Origin trophy is hopefully the start of better things to come with both the NRL and NYC Cowboys teams as well as the QRL Townsville Blackhawks all on track to play finals football. Let’s support them to the end.

Don’t forget the annual general meeting followed by our final Kick Off Club which will be held on Friday 6 November at the Riverview Tavern.

Keep on caring for our great game of rugby league.

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND

GOONDIWINDI

The Far North Queensland committee held a Kick Off meeting at Jones Park on 15 August to coincide with the CDJRL finals series.

With our first start up day for the 2015 season to be hosted by the Goondiwindi JRL starting with the under-7s at 9am and finishing with the under-16s midafternoon, it was going to be a full day for us.

BY KEV MAHER OAM, PUBLICITY OFFICER

A Kick Off meeting will also be held in Atherton at the Barron River Hotel in December where our host Michael Nasser will look after proceedings in his normal fashion.

The Men of League masters tournament will be held at Jones Park on the weekend of 10 October.

On a sad note, Eacham Rugby League has lost a couple of local champions of yesteryear. Jack Jones, who was a member of that wonderful 1961 Eacham Foley Shield team, and Les Cahill passed away recently.

We will once again be hosting the PM’s XIII in late September when they make their annual pilgrimage to Papua New Guinea. The team will have an afternoon training run and a function in the evening to welcome the PM’s XIII to Cairns.

Best wishes to Dick Chant who recently underwent hip surgery but is back on deck up on the Atherton Tablelands.

Plans are also underway to instigate a Men of League rivalry round in 2016 between the four traditional clubs in the Cairns District Rugby League: Brothers, Kangaroos, Suburbs and Ivanhoes. It may well extend to the rest of the CDRL competition in due course.

BY KEN MILLGATE, PUBLICITY OFFICER

Special guest was Queensland state manager Frank Barrett who carried out several presentations and spoke on behalf of Men of League and the involvement it has in your local league community.

The committee sold Men of League shirts that went like hotcakes, football memorabilia was auctioned as were 35 football jumpers which are the number of under-16s that played for Gundy. New members were also signed up on the day with our member tally up to around 70. All proceeds for the day went to Men of League and many thanks to the Goondiwindi JRL for a great day.

The rest of June consisted of mowing lawns and yard maintenance for fellow footballers and widows who need help, the moving of one house contents, and the farewell of an old footballer, Ray ‘Ticka’ Small, to a nursing home in Brisbane. He has also been visited by the Men of League. The sickness of one of our exfootballers, Ron Reuter in Brisbane, was also visited by Men of League and Petero Civoniceva who knocked on his door at home and spent an enjoyable couple of hours. Many thanks was given back here in Gundy from Ron`s family. Ron Passed away two weeks later.

SYDNEY METRO

BY BRAD RYDER, MEDIA OFFICER The Sydney Metropolitan committee held a most enjoyable and successful luncheon on Friday 31 July at Souths Juniors where we celebrated inspirational and courageous sporting achievements. Committee president Henry Morris welcomed the 420-strong gathering which included many legends of the game such as George Piggins, John Sattler, Ron Coote, Bob Grant, Gary Stevens and current Souths head coach Michael Maguire.

Master of ceremonies Steve Gillis interviewed sporting icons John Sattler and Jeff Fenech, as well as Damien Thomlinson, veteran of the war in Afghanistan and now an aspiring Paralympian. It was the tenth main event in our five years of existence and plans for 2016 are already in discussion.

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James ‘Sully’ Sullivan interviewing Michael Maguire

WESTERN AUSTRALIA On 5 June 125 people enjoyed the WA luncheon at The Mercure in Perth. The event was hosted by James ‘Sully’ Sullivan, who interviewed NSW state manager Stuart Raper, Souths coach Michael Maguire, halfback Adam Reynolds and NRL CEO Dave Smith, who gave the audience their insight into current issues in the game to past experiences. We were also entertained by comedian Peter Rowsthorn who brought the house down with his funny outlook on rugby league.

GOLD COAST

FAR SOUTH COAST

Gold Coast committee members have been kept busy over the past months with several welfare visits. We would like to thank the Titans, and especially Greg Bird who assisted our committee members Greg Sylvester, Bob Honan and Greg Roussell in promoting the Men of League Heritage Round. Well done boys.

We will be holding our 2015 golf day at Palmers Colonial Robina on Friday 18 September. Enquiries and bookings should be directed to event’s organiser, and Gold Coast president Ian Amos at Burleigh Bears Leagues Club on 07 5572 4055.

Whilst arrangements for our annual internationals gala dinner are well in advance, this extremely popular event will be held at the Burleigh Bears Leagues Club on Friday 27 February 2016 and will have 35-40 internationals in attendance (Australian, Great Britain and New Zealand). We suggest bookings are made ASAP to avoid disappointment. For enquiries and bookings contact the Burleigh Bears Leagues Club.

We would like to welcome Greg Roussell to our committee. Greg was a member of the Central West NSW committee, but has relocated to the Gold Coast.

ILLAWARRA

BY PETER FITZGERALD, PRESIDENT Our final major fundraiser for the year is on 25 September at Wests Illawarra Leagues Club - our finals luncheon. As usual a great line-up of league legends will be there.

Our final Kick Off Clubs for the year are at Ryan’s Hotel on 28 August, Shellharbour Workers Club on 30 October and our Christmas get together on 1 December. Note Christmas Kick Off is on a Tuesday.

On the local scene, Illawarra again proved to be undisputed champions of NSW Country by winning the championship final in Mudgee on 20 June. The 42-12 win over Canberra in the final brought Illawarra’s record to seven titles over the past ten years. After establishing a 30-6 half-time lead, our team continued to play outstanding attacking football right to the final bell. The players’ performance in the semi-final and final was rewarded with nine players gaining selection in the Country Firsts team to tour Fiji in October, while four others were named in Country Seconds to play a match at Darwin in July. The 13 Country selections are a record for Illawarra and any Country division or group.

BY DAMIAN KENNEDY, SECRETARY The opportunity to attend the Eden Tigers Team of the Century game day presentation in June enabled Stuart Raper to attend a Far South Coast committee meeting.

The former Eden coach was one of 17 ex-players and coaches who were recognised in conjunction with a special Indigenous day with the Bega Roosters.

The committee took the opportunity to consider where it has come from since its inception and to determine future directions and activities to develop.

An exciting development has been the formation of a Bombala sub-committee following a resurgence of interest in the region. The hard work of John Bedingfield and Tom Herbert has seen a large number of new members who have joined the Foundation and enjoyed a well-attended bowls day.

The distance required to cover the entire region has meant that at times it is difficult to organise events for all to attend. The option of a sub-committee, or satellite committee, which organises their own events with support from the full committee, has proven to be a successful model. This will now be implemented to address the needs of such areas as Moruya and Delegate.

A change of venue for the upcoming bowls day to Club Bega will enable the Bega members to attend with the annual event rotating between Bega and Club Sapphire in Merimbula. The event, conducted on the Sunday prior to the Melbourne Cup, together with the annual golf day in Eden, is one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the Far South Coast committee calendar.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH EVERYTHING MEN OF LEAGUE AT WWW.MENOFLEAGUE.COM

HELPING MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN THE RUGBY LEAGUE COMMUNITY

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MID NORTH COAST

WESTERN SYDNEY

Two of our valued committee members are in the final stages of recovery from surgery and illness.

It was a nice, crisp, fresh Friday morning, a good way to start our annual golf day at Cabramatta Golf Club.

A good breakfast was on offer from Allan Keating of True Blue Spit roast catering for 150 people. Our committee, under the guidance of keen golfer Paul Waddick, helped get the day started, and what a way to start off, with Steve Sharp, smashing a ball left through the small door in the wire fence, seemingly onto Cabramatta Road. Men of League was well represented with Stuart Raper, Ben Ross and Michael Crocker.

BY MARSHALL LOADSMAN, PUBLICITY OFFICER

Our patron Harry Wells is back on the road after being laid up after major ankle surgery. Harry was required to be off his feet for more than three months during which time our president Brian Atherton and committeeman John Sullivan attended to landscaping duties on his property just north of Port Macquarie. No injuries were reported from the assignments.

Meanwhile, Vince O’Brien has recovered from serious illness and is back to attending meetings and home visits in the Wauchope district. Vince is one of our most passionate and loyal committee members.

Men of League Mid North Coast thanks the junior clubs in our area for wearing Men of League socks during the recent Heritage Round.

Our next Men of League fundraising activity is a gala bowls day at the Taree Leagues Club on Sunday 13 September. Many local league legends who have transferred their abilities to the bowling green have indicated their intentions to be part of the day.

We are also involved with Taree Wingham Race Club during their annual Cup Carnival weekend and we appreciate the club allowing us to be part of one of the major sporting/tourist events in Taree.

Finally our thoughts go out to Ron Hanson (Roosters and Australian touch football representative) and Mick Healey (North Sydney and Manly-Warringah) who we will be keeping in contact with over the next few months and beyond.

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BY COLIN GRINYER, ASSISTANT MEDIA OFFICER

On the midway drinks station was Shy from the Coolibah and Steve Payne selling drinks and raffle tickets and on the cart was Natalie, Colin and ‘Tooks’, when he eventually turned up! After the golf, we all headed to the Cabramatta Leagues Club for lunch, presentation, auction and raffles. Our MC for the day was Nathan Cayless, who had a chat to Michael Crocker, and John Peard entertained us all.

Our auction man Bruce ‘Bruiser’ Clarke gently took the reins and got a few dollars in the kitty.

As always, items were kindly donated by Gary from Coolibah Hotel (signed jersey plus more), Bruiser’s contacts (Hunter Valley golf day) Kris Keating (St George playing kit), Nat from Simplicity Funerals and various other supporters and sponsors.

A huge thank you to the all of the hole sponsors, players and Western Sydney committee, especially Garry O’Donnell, who never likes to get mentioned!

And a big shout out to Mark Walker of Gold Crest Security whose generous donations helped us enormously.

NORTH WEST

NEWCASTLE HUNTER

I don’t know if the hills around the town of Manilla were alive to the sound of music in July in 1917 but I can imagine there was a fair bit of excitement in town with the arrival of the great Dally Messenger and his wife Annie, to become mine hosts of the Royal Hotel.

The year-to-date has been busy and successful. The initial Kick Off Club function at Newcastle Souths was well attended and many old memories were embellished.

BY PETER CORCORAN, SECRETARY

BY KEVIN ROBINSON, SECRETARY

The Messengers held the licence during the first world war from 1917 until 1919 where upon the death of Annie (who passed away from the Bubonic plague).

Dally sold the pub and moved on.

The Manilla Men of League presented a plaque to the Royal, unveiled on 4 July to commemorate the time the Messengers spent in Manilla where he helped establish the Manilla RLFC (which still has a team representing the town today).

Relatives of Dally were in attendance, along with present owners Tom and Vickie Cocking, plus a local boy in Australian representative and former ARL CEO John Quayle, former Test winger Neville Glover and 70 others including representatives from our committee.

The next day our annual bowls day fundraiser was held at the Manilla Bowling Club who were once again generous in their support. Although numbers were down a little it was still a great day with a good result.

Neville was again in his element in interviewing one of our locals Ken ‘Cocky’ Thompson on his achievements on the rugby league scene, representing NSW Country, NSW Northern division Group 4 and captaincoach of Manilla. We thank our sponsors for items that were auctioned off. Our congratulations to all concerned for a great day.

June 21 was the day the local derby between the Moree Boars and the Moree Boomerangs. Once again the Boars (it was their home game) allowed us to hold a fundraiser and we were able to auction off 15 special signed guernseys between games. Not only did they raise some much needed funds, they signed up ten new members.

The last fundraiser for the year, to be held in Narrabri, is yet to be confirmed as some of the Men of League are helping to keep the Narrabri rugby league going as only a few locals put up their hands to form a committee for the year. We will let members know when the date has been set. The Men of League volunteer for the year will be announced on that day.

Welfare visits are a priority and we would welcome any news of members of the rugby league family who would appreciate assistance.

In recent days, news of the plight of ex-Knights player Ryan Stig has reached us. Ryan has the nowpublished lime disease.

Many would respond to the memory of Herb Narvo.

Herb was a rugby league legend and an exheavyweight national boxing champion. At the end of July, we saw the passing of Herb’s son, Frank – also a well-known identity in the Newcastle area.

Nelson Bay Golf Club hosted our sixth annual golf classic and dinner. The event also encompassed a ladies’ dinner while participants were on the course,which proved popular.

This day has a proven record of attendance and financial success. Unfortunately, our proposed golf day in Maitland has had to be cancelled due to damage done to the course during the recent floods.

Congratulations to those responsible for the new committee emailing processes and The Locker Room initiatives. We need communication hubs of this nature to ensure news is disseminated quickly.

The Men of League Heritage Round in Newcastle was well supported by the Knights and the community. A resounding win by the Knights added the icing on the cake and, with networking done for our October night at the trots, the committee benefited greatly from the local support.

SHARE YOUR EVENT Don’t forget to share details of your upcoming events and fundraisers with head office so they can go up on the Men of League website and Facebook pages and we can help get as many people along as possible.

Email events@menofleague.com or call 02 8765 2232.

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TWEED

SUNSHINE COAST

After heavy rain had caused the postponement of our golf day in May, dismal showery weather greeted us on Friday 12 June as we arrived for the golf day.

Cricket has been the theme of two the four Kick Off Club functions held on the Sunshine Coast in 2015.

BY TOM CASSIN, TREASURER

A total of 140 players fronted for breakfast before taking to the river course for the day. We were joined

by Queensland state manager Frank Barrett and Kevin Campion who both enjoyed their first experience of Tweed hospitality.

The continued success of our golf days has seen over $82,000 raised over the 11 years thanks to the generosity of our many hole, nearest the pins, long and straight drive sponsors and prize donors for both the golf and the raffle.

In a first, the winners this year were the defending champions with the team of A Sauverain, T Williams, J Emery and B Hamilton coming in with a score of eight-under-par 64 off the stick for a nett 52 ½. Equal runners-up with a nett 54 ½ were first time players K Mortelman, M Witney, M Barker and D Wagener and the team of D Glass, S Austin, M Brown and R Callander. Terry Gale’s team were successful in defending their NAGA award, holding off Grant Brown and his Cudgen teammates by ¾ of a shot.

Many thanks to the WRS Group for their continued support with playing shirts and to our hole sponsors Tallebudgera SLSC Supporters club who have been with us every year, Cudgen Leagues, SeeCivil. Kirra Beach Hotel, Border Brick & Block Laying, Seagulls, Accent on Stone, Techrite Controls, Masterbooth, Omega Gas, K & R Sales and Gas n Coffee. Nearest the pin sponsors were Mark Roberts, BFG Finance, Tweed Coast Tours, Bolliger Promotions, Type B Gas with the Long Drive sponsor being Mark Roberts, BFG Finance, while the straight drive was sponsored by Tallebudgera SLSC Supporters Club.

Thanks also to our many prize donors and to golf pro Russ Davis and his staff, and our own volunteers for their great breakfast efforts. Our annual day at the dogs at Border Park was an enjoyable and successful day, although numbers were down on previous years.

Thanks to race sponsors Len Britt, Britts Meats, Russ Davis, Coolangatta & Tweed Heads Golf Shop, Geoff Williams & Associates, Ian Ahrens Accounting & Business Consultants, Nathan Kerr-Cudgen Leagues Club, Jim Walsh-Rounghouse, Bottle O, Billy PrestonBuilder, Noel Holmes, Coolangatta Pie Shop, John Nosworth and Glen Dawney-Boyds, Bay Garden World.

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BY TONY DURKIN, PUBLICITY OFFICER

Former Queensland fast bowler Ashely Nofke, who has been appointed assistant coach of the Queensland Bulls for the 2015-16 season, was guest speaker in February and ex-Bulls wicketkeeper Ray Phillips entertained guests in June.

However both former cricketers are also big rugby league fans and openly shared their opinions on the greatest game of all.

Guest at the April Kick Off Club was newly-appointed NRL head of game strategy and development, Shane Richardson. Just a month into his new role, Richardson gave an insight into his views on the future of the game, in particular possible rule changes and expansion.

In August, Men of League welfare recipient Paula Gowland entertained members and guests with her incredible story of strength and courage. Paula (who featured in the previous magazine) and her family were heavily involved with the Kawana Club on the Sunshine Coast when, just on two years ago, she fell and broke her leg. The amputee, a keen outrigger, told the audience she has her sights set on representing Australia at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio. Sunshine Coast Kick Off Club events are held at Mooloolaba Surf Club on the second Thursday of every second month, from 5pm to 7pm. The next is on Thursday, 8 October.

Thanks to the generosity of a Noosa businessman, John Peard has had a Roosters No.6 jersey returned to him – 41 years after it was given away. Rick Watkins, who owns Ultra Tune at Noosaville, was gifted the jersey by an Easts club official shortly after the grand final on 1974, won 19-4 by the Roosters.

Then living in Canberra as a youngster he treasured the jersey. But on learning that Peard was not enjoying the best of health, Rick inquired through our committee how he could return the jersey to the ‘Bomber’. John Brass took the jersey to a reunion of the Roosters’ 1975 premiership side in Sydney.

“Peardy was delighted to have the jersey returned,” said Brass. “Over the years most of us have given our jerseys to family members or friends, or donated them to charity. To have a grand final winning jersey in his keep now is very special to John.”

We also conducted our AGM where all current committee members stood again. We are pleased to welcome Colin Fletcher to the committee in the capability of publicity officer; I know that he will work well with our tight knit group.

The most recent event was again in association with the Storm, where we activated the Men of League Heritage Round, Storm v Panthers match. Our sincere thanks to the Storm junior rep players who conducted a tin shake outside the ground; they are a credit to their club and our game. Our committee conducted raffles in the corporate area, and our patron John Ribot was guest speaker at the corporate function. In addition Frank Barrett and Peter Foreman were interviewed at half-time on the ground, so the Foundation had plenty of exposure.

We are planning to run a Kick Off Club to coincide with the Spring Carnival to cater for the influx of Men of League visitors to Melbourne for the racing carnival. I will advise all committees once we have finalised the date and the venue.

Steve Mortimer, Gavin Boggitt and Greg Brentnall at State of Origin II luncheon.

MELBOURNE

BY PETER FOREMAN, PRESIDENT We have been very active during the last three months with the majority of our events falling in this period.

TUGGERAH LAKES

We conducted raffles at the Imperial Hotel for State of Origin I, and then ran a very successful Kick Off Club at the same venue the Tuesday before State of Origin II. As expected, there were quite a number of interstate Men of League visitors in Melbourne for the game and a crowd of around 70 people turned up for the event.

We have elected a new committee and are now looking forward to organising some functions in the second half of the year. With president Denis Smith often travelling, Rod Morton has stepped up to assist in this role, ably supported by a new secretary in Terry Wand, a well-known and respected Central Coast rugby league identity.

It was great to once again catch up with the Cobar boys who were on their annual pilgrimage, they are great company and it’s always a pleasure to see them.

We also had large contingents from Illawarra and Byron Bay, so the crowd was very pro NSW (sorry about the result guys).

We thank Frank Barrett and Michael Buettner for their support on the day. The crowd enjoyed the guest speakers, Robbie Kearns, Greg Brentnall and particularly Peter Robinson who is a former Cobar boy.

Well-done Robbo!

Our most successful event was in partnership with the Melbourne Storm and the NRL where we were granted the table raffle and a silent auction item at the State of Origin II corporate luncheon at the Crown. This was a great event, extremely well attended and proved to be an extremely beneficial fundraiser for us. It was great to also have the opportunity to entertain Gavin Boggitt, one of the beneficiaries of our support.

BY GREG TUNN, PUBLICITY OFFICER

Both can be contacted on the committee’s email address – TuggerahLakes@menofleague.com. We are still looking for new committee members to get involved; if you are interested please contact Terry 02 4352 1736 or Rod 02 4396 5335. Everyone has skills that can be utilised in some area.

The first function planned is a Kick Off Club on Friday October 2 at the Norah Head Sports Club. This is the NRL grand final weekend and should provide a wonderful opportunity for our members to discuss the merits of both teams being 2015 premiers.

The Kick Off club precedes the scheduled golf day on 30 October at Wyong Golf Club. Details for this day are still in the planning stage but should be finalised when this magazine goes to print.

We would like to invite all Men of League members on the Central Coast to join us for these two functions.

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RIVERINA

BY TOM LOONEY, TREASURER It was disheartening for many former Riverina players and supporters to see the final demolition of the grandstand and former Wagga Leagues Club at the Eric Weissel Oval site in Wagga. The club closed under controversial circumstances eleven years ago and was sold to developers for the construction of a high density housing estate.

Through the hard work of a number of league stalwarts and the help of the Wagga City Council a new venue for rugby league has been established and was rewarded this year by being chosen as the venue for the City-Country clash. This event was a great success and attracted around 10,000 spectators.

(from left): BACK: Angela Synes, Jane Herrick, Brittany McKinlay and Kate Imeson. FRONT: Jane Schefe and Georgia Holmes.

SOUTHERN DIVISION QLD

BY ANDREW O’BRIEN, PRESIDENT

We were very lucky to be offered the chance to raise funds during the demolition by auctioning off the external signage. It proved to be a great success with the large Wagga Leagues Club sign going for $2850.

The sign was purchased by well-known local business man Gil Matthew, who donated it to the local museum.

The committee was blown away with Gil’s generosity.

The Southern Division have been quite active and especially during Men of League Heritage Round where collectors attended all grounds in the Toowoomba junior and senior rugby league games as well as Border Rugby League, Roma and District Rugby League, Warwick and District juniors. Whilst the round was on our snowiest weather weekend in 30 years, we did pretty well.

Group 9 rugby league has approached us with a view to incorporating their Eric Weissel Medal presentation for the best player in Group 9 with our annual race day which will be held at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club on October 18.

Jandowae held the annual zone 4 carnival over the recent school holidays for under-12s and teams from all over attended. The carnival raised money for the Men of League and photos of the carnival were shown on The Footy show which pleased the kids.

This is an exciting innovation and plans are now underway for this event. This will boost our numbers with over 250 expected for the medal count.

The Southern Division held its annual general meeting and Andrew O’Brien was elected chairman for the sixth year, David Skinner secretary and Terry Smoothy treasurer. Patron John McDonald chaired the meeting and Queensland State Manager Frank Barrett was in attendance.

By the time this goes to print we will have had another of our highly successful ‘coathanger’ nights.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

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SOUTHERN SYDNEY

BY TERRY HUGHES AND BRUCE THOMPSON Our first major function for the year drew a large crowd to the Cronulla Leagues Club on 29 May to celebrate the Dragons v Sharks clashes over the years. Around 170 guests celebrated the many clashes between the local rivals.

Players from 1975, ‘85 and ‘95 and years in between came together to support Men of League and at the same time renew old friendships and revisit some of those great games. It was a rugby league Who’s Who. Immortal Johnny Raper was joined by legends Steve Edge, Gavin Miller, John Peard, Merv Lees, Teddy Goodwin, Mark Coyne, Andrew Ettingshausen and Nathan Brown.

Many others who had represented both clubs were also in attendance. A panel discussion involving Nathan Brown and Mark Coyne and ‘ET’ and Mitch Healy for the Sharks was both humorous and enlightening with Alan Wilson soliciting many anecdotes which were being heard for the first time.

A number of new committee members have come on board to help organise our functions and ensure we continue to meet the needs of our members.

Grahame Bowen has stepped down from the role of secretary which is now filled by Bruce Thompson.

Peter Lanham and Peter Stapleton are filling the other positions.

Around 140 family, friends, teammates and admirers of the late Robert Stone gathered at St George Leagues Club on 7 August for a Men of League luncheon to remember the Dragons stalwart, 10 years after his passing at the age of 51.

MC and teammate of Stoney, Steve Edge, introduced a video tribute and interviewed a number of his teammates. Craig Young, Ted Goodwin, Rod Reddy, Michael Sorridimi, Tony Quirk, Graeme Wynn, Randall Barge and John Bailey all recounted stories of Robert Stone the player, the mate, the prankster, the family man and all around good bloke. He would have been humbled by it.

Our thanks go to St George Leagues club for their generosity in putting on a great luncheon. Thank you also to Graeme Wynn also generously donated two kegs of beer.

NORTHERN SYDNEY

BY JIM PHELAN, SECRETARY Northern Sydney had a very successful Kick Off Club gathering on 17 July at the North Narrabeen Surf Club.

Everyone was over the moon with the result of more than 100 people attending on a very ordinary weather night.

Sincere thanks goes to Diane Pounder, Julie Jackson and committee members Geoff Squires, Garry Toole and Don McKinnon who helped so much on the night.

You could not have wished for a better example on the welfare aspects of the Men of League by the attendance of Sam Stanford and Lee Ferrier (and partner Rozina) both in wheelchairs and part of our recent welfare activities.

Our annual golf day is organised for Friday 4 September at the Warringah Golf Club. The day is organised as a four-ball Ambrose and will include breakfast on arrival, longest drive and nearest the pin competitions, buffet lunch and presentations.

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BARNES STILL SERVING THE GAME

M

BY PETER BARRETT, NORTH COAST PRESIDENT

en of League has unearthed many players from the past now living in the bush and because mild mannered they never talk about themselves and their footy careers.

Such a case is Eric Barnes, who lives in Sawtell on the NSW north coast.

Eric, a retired builder, enjoys playing golf and serves on the North Coast committee and is available to help others.

Eric went to school at Chatswood and when he left school all he wanted to do was play rugby league for North Sydney Bears. In 1960 he made the President’s Cup team as lock and the tough tackling forward was graded in third grade the following year.

He graduated to first grade and was coached

by Fred Griffith for six years and 54 top grade appearances.

In 1967 the four-tackle rule came in (later changed to six tackles) and Penrith and Cronulla joined the competition, Eric joined Monty Porter at Cronulla for more money under coach Ken Kearney who was “a great character” and famous dual international.

The Sharks won only a couple of games but North Sydney was one of those teams they defeated. He played every match in 1967 and the Sharks wanted him to stay but he was ready to leave Sydney and was appointed captain-coach of Tamworth City for two years, Werris Creek for three years, then North Tamworth for seven years.

That’s not bad for someone who only wanted to spend twelve months in the bush and then retire. He didn’t hang up the boots until he was 40.

He’d spent 32 years in the game he loved playing against the toughest like Noel Kelly, Peter Diamond, John Raper and the fastest in Reg Gasnier, Johnny King, Graeme Langlands and with the late great Ken Irvine and has been a great honour and very satisfying ride.

When Eric played he was never a big man but had a big heart and that big heart is still evident in his mid70s he enjoys being involved with Men of League.

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MEN OF LEAGUE SEPTEMBER 2015

Eric Barnes (back left) pictured in a North Sydney team shot next to Lloyd Weier with the legendary Ken Irvine in front of Eric, beside Len Diett.

BELOW: Eric today.

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